Coenraad Alfred Augustus Haighton inherited a substantial fortune from his father's lottery insurance business, LOTISICO, which enabled his transition from a wealthy businessman into an active figure in Dutch fascist politics. Born in Rotterdam in 1896, he leveraged his inherited capital to fund various ideological movements and publications throughout the Netherlands before his death in 1943.
Early Education and Inherited Wealth
Raised in a privileged environment, Haighton completed his studies in Los Angeles. His academic background included a thesis concerning the philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer. Despite living with a permanent physical disability, the early death of his father granted him control over the highly profitable LOTISICO firm. This financial independence allowed him to divert his focus away from traditional business operations toward political organizing and journalism.
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In 1924, Haighton collaborated with H.A. Sinclair de Rochemont to establish the Verbond van Actualisten, an organization modeled after Italian fascist principles. Following the group's dissolution in 1927, he funded the publication De Bezem and launched his own initiative, the Fascistische Jongeren Bond. His influence waned in 1932 when his political partner, Jan Baars, departed to form the General Dutch Fascist League. Haighton later aligned himself with the National Socialist Dutch Workers Party, though his career was marked by intermittent periods of political withdrawal and membership in groups such as Zwart Front.
Literary Stewardship and The Decline of De Nieuwe Gids
Haighton shifted his energy toward literary pursuits in 1938 by acquiring De Nieuwe Gids. He transformed the established journal into a mouthpiece for pro-Nazi sentiment. The publication featured authors such as Jan Eekhout, who utilized archaic Dutch dialects to promote rural-focused writing. This shift in editorial direction alienated the Dutch artistic community, causing the subscriber base to collapse to 98 individuals by 1943. Haighton passed away that same year in Beekbergen following a heart attack.
Fast facts
- Full Name: Coenraad Alfred Augustus Haighton
- Born: 1896, Rotterdam
- Died: 13 April 1943, Beekbergen
- Citizenship: Kingdom of the Netherlands
- Key Business Interest: LOTISICO
- Political Affiliations: Verbond van Actualisten, NSNAP, Zwart Front
- Journalistic Work: De Bezem, De Nieuwe Gids
Questions readers ask
What was the main source of Haighton's wealth?
He inherited a fortune from his father's lottery insurance company, known as LOTISICO.
What happened to the literary journal De Nieuwe Gids under his leadership?
He turned the previously respected publication into a pro-Nazi outlet, leading to a significant loss of subscribers.
