POTTER United Families

(the autobiographical "The poor poet") and songs (for "The
Liederboek" , the "Jacob van Artevelde-cantata" ...).
In 1856 Frans de Potter became editor at the Ghent conservative
Catholic "Scholarship". This journalistic work obviously bears the
characteristics of his time, style, content and spirit, writing style that
is now completely outstripped in 2018. But through the now outdated
appearance, it shows a muscular language, an imaginative word, an
inspiring enthusiasm and a total commitment to the cause of his
Flemish people and his homeland.
In 1857 Frans de Potter was one of the co-founders and secretary of
the theater company "Van Crombrugghe". In 1860 - he was 26 years
old - he married Coleta Duyckers and their family had seven children.
One of them died at a very young age.
When Frans had to establish that on the one hand little was written
about the city of Ghent and that on the other hand documents and
archives were scattered here and there in town halls, presbyteries,
monasteries and castles, he started the project with his friend Jan
Broeckaert. "To write down the history of the Municipalities of the
Province of East Flanders".
This led in the period of 1864-1903 to the creation of a 46-volume
book where he discovered, studied and explored thousands of
documents for almost half a century.
In these historical studies on the cities and municipalities, their
attention was mainly to the inhabitants, to their customs and habits,
the great events of their turbulent history, their struggle on life and
death for their municipal independence, their victories but also their
defeats, but above all about their character and their soul.
Some West Flemish cities and municipalities such as Roulers, Furnes,
Blankenberge and Courtrai also attracted interest.
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