Europe · Modern Era

Who was Corrie ten Boom?

Corrie ten Boom was a Dutch watchmaker who, with her family, helped many Jewish people escape the Holocaust by hiding them in their home, before being captured and sent to a Nazi concentration camp.

Corrie ten Boom (1892–1983) is remembered as a key figure from Netherlands, known for their role: Resistance member and writer.

Country / regionNetherlands · Europe
Known forResistance member and writer
Years1892–1983
BornAmsterdam, Netherlands
DiedPlacentia, California, United States

Why is Corrie ten Boom important?

Corrie ten Boom stands out in history for a specific reason: Helped hide numerous Jewish refugees in her family's home during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Their story helps place major events, ideas, and cultural change in a wider historical context.

Key achievements

  • Helped hide numerous Jewish refugees in her family's home during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands.
  • Was arrested and imprisoned at the Ravensbrück concentration camp after being betrayed.
  • Survived the camp and later became a Christian writer and public speaker.
  • Wrote 'The Hiding Place,' recounting her family's wartime experiences.

A fast fact

Ten Boom and her family hid Jewish refugees in a specially built secret space within their home in Haarlem, until they were betrayed and arrested, leading to her imprisonment in the Ravensbrück concentration camp.

Legacy

Ten Boom's story of hiding Jewish refugees and surviving imprisonment remains a widely told account of ordinary moral courage during the Holocaust.

netherlandsmodern erapeace makerseuropewomen in history

What is Corrie ten Boom best known for?

Corrie ten Boom was a Dutch watchmaker who, with her family, helped many Jewish people escape the Holocaust by hiding them in their home, before being captured and sent to a Nazi concentration camp.

When and where did Corrie ten Boom live?

Corrie ten Boom was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands (1892–1983) and died in Placentia, California, United States.

What is Corrie ten Boom's lasting legacy?

Ten Boom's story of hiding Jewish refugees and surviving imprisonment remains a widely told account of ordinary moral courage during the Holocaust.

How can I learn more about Corrie ten Boom?

Use this profile as a starting point, then consult a library, museum, encyclopedia, or primary-source collection for deeper study.