Claus, Hugo

Belgian author. His father worked at a printing office and his mother was a housewife. When a new baby was on its way, his mother did not have the strength to take care of him any more. One and a half year old, Hugo Claus was sent to a monastery boarding school. He had to remain there until he was eleven. His stay would influence him significantly. He himself has said that it was at this time that he began developing his imagination as a way of struggling against loneliness and against his longing for his parents and his family. It was also at this time that he developed his hatred for the Catholic Church.