Maxim Februari

About

Maxim Februari (born 1963, Coevorden) is a Dutch writer, philosopher and jurist whose work connects law, ethics and the impact of technology on democracy. His debut novel De zonen van het uitzicht (1989) won the Multatuli Prize; later works include the novel De literaire kring (2007) and the essay collection Doe zelf normaal (2023). He has received the Frans Kellendonk Prize, the J.H. Heldring Prize for columnism and the P.C. Hooft Prize 2020, the Netherlands' most prestigious literary award.

Highest Dutch literary award: P.C. Hooftprijs 2020

Received major literary prizes (Multatuli, Frans Kellendonk, J.H. Heldring, P.C. Hooft)

What's new

2026-05
Februari spoke on May 28, 2026 at De Balie in Amsterdam about how the rule of law must adapt to concentrated digital power.
2025-11
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam awarded Februari an honorary doctorate on November 20, 2025 for his contribution to public debate on law, justice and technology.
2025-06
Februari returned in June 2025 as a columnist at NRC Handelsblad, after a period at the weekly magazine Vrij Nederland.
2024-03
His essay collection Doe zelf normaal (2023) was shortlisted for the Socratesbeker 2024, the prize for the best Dutch-language philosophy book.