Willem Frederik Hermans (1921-1995) was a Dutch author of poetry, novels, short stories, plays, as well as booklength studies, essays, and literary criticism. His most famous works are Het Behouden Huis (The House of Refuge), De Donkere Kamer van Damokles (The Darkroom of Damocles) and Nooit meer slapen (Beyond Sleep). He is regarded as one of the greatest Dutch writers of the 20th century.