Hendrik Smeets

Hendrik Smeets (6 August 1889 - 12 December 1970) was a Brunanter journalist, humorist and cartoonist, dubbed "Father of the Brunanter comics". He is widely known for his children's books written and illustrated as Dr. Valentijn Oo, as well as his Elma comic series. Some of his most-celebrated books include Toto and the Martian, The Red Rabbit Family and The Hero of Summer.

His wit and satire, in prose and in speech, earned praise from critics and made him one of the most popular authors after the World War II. Smeets has influenced such diverse cultural figures, as Bruce Witman, the Hoolahan cousins and Hans Leerdam.

Personal life
Smeets married theatre actress Caroline Grothues on 10 June 1923. Their marriage lasted for more than thirty years, until Caroline's death in 1960. They had three children: Marjolein (1925-2002), Heleen (1926-2004) and Matthijs (1929-2009).

Smeets suffered a mild stroke in 1964 and was briefly hospitalized. He lost sight in his left eye as the result. He frequently joked, stating that everything was blue from this eye.