Felix Ortt


Felix Louis Ortt was a Dutch civil engineer, writer, translator, and social reformer. He was known for his involvement in a wide range of progressive movements. Active in the Dutch animal welfare and vegetarianism movements, he co-founded the Dutch Vegetarian Association in 1894 and was a leading figure in the development of Christian anarchism in the Netherlands. Born in Groningen, Ortt left government service to pursue a life dedicated to nonviolence, simple living, and ethical living. He co-founded a Christian anarchist commune, edited the journal Vrede, and translated works by J. Howard Moore into Dutch. Ortt's work engaged with issues such as wealth inequality, education, spirituality, and sexual ethics, making him an influential voice in early 20th-century Dutch humanitarian and anarchist thought.

Biography

Early life and education

Born in Groningen on 9 June 1866 into a strict Protestant family, Ortt followed the family's tradition by studying civil engineering at Delft University of Technology and working for the Dutch water management authority, Rijkswaterstaat. However, a bout of malaria in 1890 led him to explore natural medicine, which inspired him to adopt a vegetarian lifestyle. In 1894, he co-founded the Dutch Vegetarian Association.

Christian anarchism and social reform

Ortt's engagement with social activism deepened after encountering the works of Leo Tolstoy at a temperance congress in 1896. Inspired by Tolstoy's ideals of nonviolence and Christian teachings, Ortt became increasingly disillusioned with government service and resigned from Rijkswaterstaat in 1899. He soon left the Dutch Reformed Church and immersed himself in promoting Christian anarchism, editing the publication , which became an important platform for advocating nonviolence, simplicity, and ethical living. This period marked his transition from an engineer to a dedicated social reformer, focusing on issues of wealth inequality, compassion, and spiritual integrity.

Commune and writing

In 1900, Ortt co-founded a Christian anarchist commune near Blaricum, attempting to create a community based on the teachings of Jesus, with an emphasis on nonviolence, vegetarianism, and simplicity. The commune included a horticultural group, a printing press, and a bakery, but internal disputes over religious interpretations eventually led to its dissolution in 1903. Despite this setback, Ortt documented the experience in his novel series Felicia and continued his activism by writing and editing publications that disseminated his ideas on humanitarianism, ethics, and social justice.
Ortt also became an active member of the , which focused on promoting spiritual purity, sexual ethics, and moral conduct. His writings on love, marriage, and sexuality often sparked debates and controversy, especially due to his support for more progressive ideas on free marriage. Despite criticism from more conservative members, he stayed dedicated to promoting a lifestyle rooted in spiritual and ethical principles, making a notable impact on the intellectual and moral discourse of his era.

Translation work

Ortt translated several works by American zoologist J. Howard Moore into Dutch.

Personal life

Ortt married three times. In 1892, he married Anna Petronella Gelderman, with whom he had three children before their marriage ended in divorce in 1905. Later that year, he entered into a free union with Tine Hinlopen, and together they had three additional children. In 1932, he married Maria Theresia Zeijlemaker, the head of a children's home.

Later years and death

During World War I, Ortt was a conscientious objector. In World War II, he aided refugees in Soest. Ortt continued to publish writings on vegetarianism, spirituality, and parapsychology well into his later years. He died in Soest on 15 October 1959.

Legacy

A retirement home for vegetarians in Oosterbeek was named Felix Ortt in his honor.

Publications

Ortt was a prolific writer and published many works:
  • Christelijk anarchisme
  • Het beginsel der liefde
  • Naar het groote licht
  • Open brief aan de presidente van den Nederlandschen Vrouwenbond ter Internationale Ontwapening
  • Het spiritisme
  • Denkbeelden van een christen-anarchist
  • Medische wetenschap en vivisectie
  • Brieven over gezondheid
  • Praktisch socialisme
  • Het streven der christen-anarchisten
  • Rein leven en Geheelonthouding
  • Manifest van het Landelijk Comité Zaak-Terwey. Waar het om gaat en wat onze plicht is
  • Aan mijn zusje – brief over het geslachtsleven
  • Het Nieuw-Malthusianisme. Uit ethisch oogpunt beschouwd
  • Sexueele ethiek
  • De Vrije Mensch: studies
  • Een zedelijke plicht der ouders.
  • Apen en menschen
  • De reinleven-beweging. Ontstaan, doel, beginselen en organisatie der rein levenbeweging. Kort uiteengezet
  • Brieven over Godsgeloof. Verkorte volksuitgave der 'Brieven aan een vriendinnetje over religieuze begrippen'
  • Drankzucht en hoe die tegen te gaan
  • Het dure vleesch
  • De invloed van den oorlog op de ethiek
  • Inleiding tot het pneumatisch-energetisch monisme. Een beschouwing over God, de wereld, het leven, mensch en maatschappij, vanuit het standpunt der natuurwetenschap
  • Tweede brief aan mijn zusje. Over verloving en huwelijk
  • Over kunst en schoonheid
  • De koepokinenting
  • Nieuwe beschouwingen over den droom en de droompsyche
  • Het wezen der homeopatische geneeswijze
  • Over de dierenziel
  • Verleden, heden en toekomst der natuurgeneeswijze
  • Levenshouding
  • De superkosmos. Filosofie van het occultisme en het spiritisme
  • Het droomleven
  • ''Over Frederik van Eeden''