Jan Kalf (Amsterdam, May 10, 1873 - The Hague, March 6, 1954) was director of the National Office for the Preservation of Monuments from 1918-1939. Life Jan Kalf was the son of Martinus Kalf, editor of the Algemeen Handelsblad. His mother was Magthilda Geertruida Goedkoop. He had a brother and a sister. He attended grammar school in Amsterdam and studied Dutch literature and art history. He wrote many articles for De Kroniek, including critical drama reviews. In 1903, the Rijkscommissie voor de inventarisatie van Nederlandse Monumenten was founded. Architect Cuypers was chairman, Kalf was secretary. The commission was to make an inventory and description of monuments in the Netherlands. Kalf designed a standard for describing monuments, which remained in use for a long time. The committee's work led to the creation of the National Office for the Preservation of Monuments, of which Kalf was director for the first 20 years. He advocated a law that would prohibit demolition and alteration of monuments, but this did not get off the ground. However, 350 monuments were restored during his time as director. In 1912 he received an honorary doctorate in Literature from the University of Utrecht. He also became a member of the Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences in 1927. Kalf had a vision, which in the period before World War II was not shared by everyone: if elements in a monument had to be replaced, this should be done in a recognizable, contemporary design. Later, he came to appreciate more artisanal restorations. Kalf was aware of the impending danger of war and was concerned about his monuments. Through his efforts, bombproof government shelters were built in the dunes. In 1939 he became state inspector for art protection and remained involved with the National Office for the Preservation of Monuments as secretary. He became responsible for securing monuments and art collections. After World War II, a Provisional Council on Monuments was established, in which Kalf was involved. The Provisional Council advised on a future monument law. This did not come into being until 1961, after Kalf's death.