ABSTRACT
Esther Hillesum, a Dutch Jew, was born on January 15, 1914, in Middelburg, Holland. Her father, a teacher and a scholar, taught at schools in various cities until he was appointed headmaster of a gymnasium in Deventer. Esther's mother had come to Holland to escape persecution in her native Russia. A student of law, Esther received her degree from the University of Amsterdam. She later returned to the university to pursue interests in Slavic languages and psychology. Her passion was reading, especially Russian literature, the Bible, and Rilke.
