‘Mogt wetenschap de ziel bekooren’

Abstract

In 1782, poetess Anna van der Aar de Sterke founded Die Erg Denkt Vaart Erg In ’T Hart, a literary group that is now known as the first all-female literary society of the Dutch Republic. Once a week the women gathered in and around Van der Aar’s library to discuss their own and others’ poetry. In their pursuit of scholarship, the members of Die Erg Denkt aspired to educate themselves on a literary and religious level. In this article we set forth the ideals and goals of the society, as well as the role of Anna van der Aar in guiding and educating these ambitious women.