Ernest Claes

Ernest Claes (24 October 1885 in Zichem - 2 September 1968 in Elsene) was a Flemish author.
His real name was Andreas Ernestus Josephus Claes. He was born to Petrus Josephus Claes and Maria Theresia Lemmens. His parents were farmers and they had nine children. He was a good student and studied at the Catholic University of Leuven.
For some of his works he used the pseudonym, G. van Hasselt.
Claes was for years a favorite author in Belgium. His novel "De Witte" was reprinted more than 100 times.