Frank Martinus Arion (born Frank Efraim Martinus; 17 December 1936 – 28 September 2015) was a Curaçaoan poet, novelist, and language advocate. He wrote in both Papiamentu and Dutch.

Early life

Frank Efraim Martinus was born on 17 December 1936 in Curaçao, a Caribbean island then under Dutch rule.

Career

Martinus changed his name to Frank Martinus Arion at some point. He moved to the Netherlands in 1955 and in 1981 returned to Curaçao, where he became head of the Curaçao Language Institute that promotes the use of the Papiamentu language. His works include The Last Freedom (De laatste vrijheid) and Double Play (Dubbelspel). The latter novel is considered to be his magnum opus and was published in 1973. He wrote in Papiamentu and Dutch.

Death

Arion died on 28 September 2015.

Works

Adaptations

Arion's 1973 Dutch-language novel Double Play was adapted into the 2017 English-language film Double Play, directed by Ernest R. Dickerson.