Gustav Preller
Gustav Schoeman Preller (4 October 1875 in Klein Schoemansdal, Klipdrift, Pretoria – 7 October 1943 in Pelindaba) is known as a journalist, historian, writer and literary critic. He fought for the recognition of Afrikaans. Preller helped the Afrikaner to awake to the importance of the history of South Africa. He made great contributions to the writing of South African history, through his research and the literature. He also contributed greatly to making South Africans aware of the legacy of the Voortrekkers and also played an early part in planning the Voortrekker Monument.
Gustav was the son of Comdt. Robert Logie Preller and Stefina Schoeman (daughter of the Voortrekker Gen. Stephanus Schoeman). His parents farmed near Standerton where he attended school for only 3 years. Later he worked in Pretoria as a shop-assistant, an articled clerk and a civil servant, studying diligently when he found the time. When the Boer War started, he was working as a clerk for the Department of Mines and was married to Johanna, the granddaughter of M. W. Pretorius (i.e. 'Swart Martiens', the cousin of M. W. Pretorius) and Deborah Retief.
The South African Academy of Science and Art (Afrikaans: Die Suid-Afrikaanse Akademie vir Wetenskap en Kuns) gives out annually the Gustav Preller Award that has been awarded since 1909.
References
- Antonissen, Rob (1973). Die Afrikaanse Letterkunde - van aanvang tot hede. (The Afrikaans Literature - from beginning till now) Nasou.
- Dekker, G. (1974). Afrikaanse Literatuurgeskiedenis. (History of Afrikaans Literature) Nasou Limited.
- Geldenhuys, D.J.C. (1967). Pannevis en Preller - met hul pleidooie. (Pannevis and Preller - with their beggings) Johannesburg: Voortrekkerpers.
- Rousseau, Leon (1984). Die groot verlange. (The great longing) Kaapstad: Human en Rousseau.
- Scholtz, J. du P. (1980). Wording en ontwikkeling van Afrikaans. (The becoming and development of Afrikaans) Kaapstad: Tafelberg-Uitgewers Limited.
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