Felix Ortt

Felix Louis Ortt was born into a strict orthodox Protestant family in Groningen, Netherlands. He was the son of Jonkheer Jacob Reinoud Theodoor Ortt, chief inspector of the water board, and Leontine Louise Josephine de Raikem. He grew up in Haarlem, where he attended primary school and the Higher Civic School. Ortt received Bible lessons from T. M. Looman, who influenced his early religious thinking. In 1883, Ortt began studying at the Delft University of Technology, following the family tradition of civil engineering, and he graduated as a civil engineer in 1887.^[1]

After completing his studies, Ortt worked as an engineer for Rijkswaterstaat, the Dutch water management authority. During the construction of the Merwede Canal in 1890, Ortt contracted malaria, which led him to explore natural medicine. This experience prompted him to become a vegetarian and teetotaler. In 1894, he co-founded the Dutch Vegetarian Association, marking the beginning of his involvement in the vegetarian movement. Ortt was actively involved in promoting vegetarianism and published writings on the subject, including "Het vegetarisme als ally" ("Vegetarianism as an ally") in 1896.^[1]

Ortt's encounter with the ideas of Leo Tolstoy during the total abstinence congress in Utrecht in 1896 had a profound impact on him. Tolstoy's emphasis on nonviolence and the practice of Christianity influenced Ortt's thinking, leading him to question the disparities between wealth and poverty in society. He became increasingly disillusioned with government service and eventually resigned from his position at Rijkswaterstaat in 1899. Around this time, Ortt also withdrew from the Reformed Church.^[1]

Together with like-minded individuals, Ortt helped establish the magazine Vrede, which became an important platform for advocating Christian anarchism. He took on the role of editor and devoted himself to articulating the ideals of Christian anarchism, focusing on non-violence, simplicity, and frugality.^[1]

In 1900, Ortt and other Christian anarchists established a colony on a piece of land near Blaricum, where they aimed to live according to the teachings of Jesus, embracing nonviolence, vegetarianism, and simplicity. The colony included a horticultural group, a printing press, and a bakery. However, internal disagreements soon emerged, and Ortt found himself in conflict with other colonists over religious differences. The colony ultimately failed, and Ortt left in 1903 after a series of disputes.^[1]

Despite the challenges faced by the colony, Ortt continued to write and publish extensively. He edited journals such as Vrede and De Pionier and contributed to the dissemination of anarchist and humanitarian ideas. In 1905, he documented the rise and fall of the Blaricum colony in his novel series Felicia.^[1]

Ortt was actively involved in the Rein Leven-Beweging (RLB), which was founded in 1901. The RLB focused on promoting the "spiritualization of sexual life", and Ortt expressed his views on pure love and marriage in his writings. Despite disagreements with other members of the RLB over issues such as free marriage, Ortt remained involved in the movement, contributing to its library and engaging in debates on sexuality and morality.^[1]

During World War I, Ortt maintained a stance of complete nonviolence and conscientious objection. He signed the Conscientious Objection Manifesto in 1915 and spoke out against militarism. After the war, Ortt's involvement in Christian anarchism diminished, and he focused on other interests such as natural medicine, vegetarianism, and animal protection.^[1] He translated three of the American zoologist and philosopher J. Howard Moore's books into Dutch.^[2]

In 1928, he became vice-chairman of the Dutch Association for Natural Medicine. He continued to write and publish articles on topics related to parapsychology, vegetarianism, and spirituality.^[1]

During World War II, Ortt helped refugees in Soest to go into hiding.^[3]

Ortt's personal life was marked by several marriages. He married Anna Petronella Gelderman in 1892, with whom he had three children before their marriage ended in divorce in 1905. Later that year, he entered a free marriage with Tine Hinlopen, with whom he had three more children. In 1932, he married Maria Theresia Zeijlemaker, the head of a children's home.^[1]

Ortt was known for adhering to strict lifestyle practices, such as daily cold-water immersions, which he continued until his death in Soest in 1959. His dedication to his principles remained unwavering throughout his life, and he continued to provide advice and guidance through his Vegetarian Bureau in his later years.^[1]

Felix Louis Ortt's contributions to humanitarianism, Christian anarchism, vegetarianism, and social reform left a lasting impact on Dutch society. He influenced the development of the vegetarian movement, anti-vivisection campaigns, and Christian anarchist thought. Although his efforts often faced opposition and controversy, his dedication to his ideals made him a significant figure in the movements he supported.^[1]

A retirement home for vegetarians was named "Felix Ortt" in Oosterbeek.^[1]

Ortt's publications included: Christelijk anarchisme. (Haarlem 1898); Het beginsel der liefde (Den Haag 1898); Naar het groote licht (Den Haag 1899); Open brief aan de presidente van den Nederlandschen Vrouwenbond ter Internationale Ontwapening (Amsterdam 1899); Het spiritisme (Den Haag 1899); Denkbeelden van een christen-anarchist (Den Haag 1900); Medische wetenschap en vivisectie (Den Haag 1902); Brieven over gezondheid (in het bizonder tot arbeiders) (Blaricum 1902); Praktisch socialisme (Amersfoort 1903); Het streven der christen-anarchisten (Amersfoort 1903); Rein leven en Geheelonthouding (Soest 1903); Manifest van het Landelijk Comité Zaak-Terwey. Waar het om gaat en wat onze plicht is (z.pl. 1903); Aan mijn zusje – brief over het geslachtsleven (Amersfoort 1903); Het Nieuw-Malthusianisme. Uit ethisch oogpunt beschouwd (Amersfoort 1904); Sexueele ethiek (Amersfoort 1904); De Vrije Mensch: studies (Amersfoort 1904); Een zedelijke plicht der ouders. (Rede) (Den Haag 1905); Apen en menschen (Den Haag 1907); De reinleven-beweging. Ontstaan, doel, beginselen en organisatie der rein levenbeweging. Kort uiteengezet (z.pl. 1908); Brieven over Godsgeloof. Verkorte volksuitgave der 'Brieven aan een vriendinnetje over religieuze begrippen' (Blaricum 1909); Drankzucht en hoe die tegen te gaan (z.pl. 1911); 'Der Einflusz Tolstois auf das geistige und gesellschaftliche Leben in den Niederlanden' in: Der Sozialist. Organ des Sozialistischen Bundes, jrg. 3 nr. 1, 1911; Het dure vleesch (z.pl. 1913); De invloed van den oorlog op de ethiek (Purmerend 1916); Inleiding tot het pneumatisch-energetisch monisme. Een beschouwing over God, de wereld, het leven, mensch en maatschappij, vanuit het standpunt der natuurwetenschap (Den Haag 1917); Tweede brief aan mijn zusje. Over verloving en huwelijk (Soest 1921); Over kunst en schoonheid (Blaricum 1921); De koepokinenting (Hilversum 1927); Nieuwe beschouwingen over den droom en de droompsyche (Amsterdam 1927); Het wezen der homeopatische geneeswijze (Hilversum 1930); Over de dierenziel (Den Haag 1933); Verleden, heden en toekomst der natuurgeneeswijze (Soest 1939); Levenshouding (z.pl. 1942); De superkosmos. Filosofie van het occultisme en het spiritisme (Den Haag 1949); Het droomleven (Den Haag 1951); Over Frederik van Eeden (Amsterdam 1958).^[1]

• Vegetarianism in the Netherlands