Why is Hendrik Conscience considered a founder of the Flemish novel?

Hendrik Conscience is widely regarded as the founder of the Flemish novel because he was the primary force behind its birth and development during the 19th-century literary and national renaissance.1

His foundational role is attributed to several key factors:

• Pioneering Works: With the publication of De leeuw van Vlaanderen (1838; The Lion of Flanders), Conscience effectively created the Flemish novel by writing an outstanding historical novel in the tradition of Sir Walter Scott.1
• Cultural Impact: His influence was so profound that it was said he "taught his people to read," as he successfully engaged the public with vivid narratives that celebrated the Flemish past and identity.1
• Linguistic Commitment: Despite early exposure to French romanticism, Conscience chose to write in Dutch (Flemish), helping to establish a distinct literary tradition for his people.1
• Versatility: Beyond historical epics, he expanded the genre by writing idyllic tales of urban and rural life, as well as the first Flemish adventure novel, Het goudland (1862).1