Klaas A.D. Smelik (Hilversum 1950) studied Theology, Semitic Languages and Ancient History in Utrecht, Amsterdam and Leiden. He taught Old Testament and Hebrew in Utrecht, Amsterdam and Brussels, Ancient and Jewish History at the K.U. Leuven, and Hebrew and Jewish Studies at Ghent University. In 2006, he founded the Etty Hillesum Research Centre (EHOC).