B. D. Dykstra

Broer Doekeles (B.D.) Dykstra (November 11 1871 - March 29 1955) was a Dutch American pastor, educator, and poet who wrote several books, served as editor of the "Volkskrant" Dutch-language newspaper, and was a visible member of the Reformed Church in America. Known in the RCA as "the man on the bicycle," he operating a small publishing house with his sons and traveled door-to-door to sell his books.

Dykstra was born "Broer Dijkstra" in Pingjum, Friesland in 1871, son of Doekele Dijkstra and Beitske van der Schaaf. The family emigrated to the United States in 1882. He became an avid pacifist. He was a student at Orange City Academy, now Northwestern College in the late 19th century; today, the school offers the Dykstra-Muste-Nelson Peace Scholarship in his, A.J. Muste's, and Ronald R. Nelson's honor. He died in Orange City, Iowa, USA, in 1955.

Several of his sons became prominent educators and theologians. His son D. Ivan Dykstra was a professor of philosophy at Hope College.

Books by Dykstra

*"Ten Eeuwigen Vrede" or "The Peace of the Ages", 1937
*"Door Californie Per Fiets in 1936" or "Through California by Bicycle", 1939
*"Geloof en Leven" or "Belief and Life", 1941
*"Korte Gedichten" or "Short Poems"

External links

* [http://www.nwciowa.edu/financialaid/scholarships/27/details.aspx Northwestern College]
* [http://www.jointarchives.org/collections/registers/wts/dykst-bd.html Joint Archives of Holland]
* [http://www.godutch.com/catalogue/bookN.asp?id=289 goDutch.com]