I never read the life of any important person without discovering that he knew more and could do more than I could ever hope to know or do in half a dozen lifetimes.
J.B. Priestley, English novelist and playwright
People with platforms, such as writers, activists, and sports personalities, shape the way we think. They use their platform to present new ideas, often to society's benefit. For such worthies, going against the grain is a matter of course.
In the Netherlands, historically and today, many people have pushed existing boundaries. Some have fought for important causes and become pioneers of social and economic change. Others enrich our lives with their artistic endeavors. Our mission today is to learn about these important people throughout Dutch history.
Johan de Witt (1625-1672)
🇳🇱 Birthplace:
Dordrecht, Netherlands
🏢 Career:
Mathematician & Former Grand Pensionary of the dutch Republic
Johan de Witt was born on September 24, 1625, in Dordrecht, in what was the Dutch Republic at the time. He was an important politician in the 17th century.
He held the high post of Grand Pensionary from 1653 to 1672. This role amounted to being the Dutch Republic's political leader, one or two rungs down from nobility.
Throughout his political career, he worked to boost economic activity through trade and shipping. The flourishing sea trade during de Witt's tenure made the United Provinces a leading European power. These efforts, along with colonization, brought about the Dutch Golden Age.
He and his uncle, Cornelis de Graeff, controlled the Dutch government from about 1650 to 1672. That year, the Rampjaar - the Year of Destruction, his rule came to an end. So did his life.
By then, the country was in chaos and foreign armies invaded. Years of negligence in funding and supporting the Dutch army left soldiers unwilling to - and incapable of, restoring order. Johan de Witt and his brother Cornelius were publicly executed in The Hague, in 1672. Many historians believe that William of Orange encouraged rioters to execute the de Witt brothers.
Today, people still view Johan de Witt as a symbol of regulated government power, internationalism and tolerance for diversity. These are all values the Dutch people hold high.
Abraham Kuyper (1837-1920)
🇳🇱 Birthplace:
Maassluis, Netherlands
🏢 Career:
Former Dutch Prime Minister
Kuyper was the Dutch Prime Minister from 1901 to 1905. He was not only a politician but also a journalist and neo-Calvinist theologian. He created his own political party, the Anti-Revolutionary Party, which he dominated from 1879 to his death, in 1920.
He is noteworthy for his promotion of pillarization: the segregation of societies or social groups divided into different 'pillars'. Such would allow Protestants, Catholics and other groups to have their own schools, universities and organizations.
Despite Kuyper's attempts to establish pillarization and the antithesis not fully succeeding, his tenure as Prime Minister saw him advocate for better working conditions across the board. However, it was primarily the fishing and harbor construction sectors that reaped the benefits of his policies.
A late 19th-century ideological conflict between Protestant and secular groups, the political struggle revolved around equalising public financing for different religious schools.
Kuyper's political philosophies continue to shape Dutch politics, fostering a collaborative relationship between Catholic and Protestant factions. He championed the principle of equality, asserting that the poor are not inferior to the rich, nor are the wealthy inherently superior to those in poverty.
Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890)
🇳🇱 Birthplace:
Zundert, Netherlands
🏢 Career:
Artist
Vincent van Gogh is among the most renowned Dutch painters of the 20th century. His post-impressionist style has significantly shaped modern Dutch art and continues to influence contemporary painters.
In his works, Van Gogh employed bold colors and expressive imagery in his landscapes and portraits.
Despite creating masterpieces that are celebrated today, Vincent van Gogh did not achieve success during his lifetime.
Born in Zundert, Netherlands on March 30, 1853, van Gogh left his well-to-do family to pursue life as an artist. Some of his most famous works include: Sunflowers, Irises and, of course, Starry Night. So profound is van Gogh's influence that American singer Don McLean wrote a song about him.
Van Gogh spent his last years in France, where he experienced his artistic breakthrough. Still, many knew him as the "mad" artist or painter who fought with friends and cut off his own ear. He died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Anne Frank (1929-1945)
🇩🇪 Birthplace:
Frankfurt am Main, Germany
🏢 Career:
Diarist
Anne Frank was born in Frankfurt. She spent most of her life in and around Amsterdam. Her family moved to the Netherlands in 1934, shortly after the Nazis gained control of Germany.
The family hid for two years to avoid capture and confinement. During that time, Anne wrote a diary, expressing her wishes, experiences and fears.
The published journal, The Diary of a Young Girl, first appeared as written, in its original Dutch language. Since then, her words live on in more than 70 languages; it is one of the world's most widely recognized books. Through it, Anne Frank has become a beacon of freedom and strength.
The Anne Frank House - the Secret Annex, still stands. It is one of the Netherlands' most visited museums, welcoming over a million visitors each year.
Ruud Lubbers (1939-2018)
🇳🇱 Birthplace:
Rotterdam, Netherlands
🏢 Career:
Businessman and Former Prime Minister of the Netherlands
Ruud Lubbers was the longest-serving Prime Minister in Dutch history. He held this office from 1982 to 1994, leaving an impressive legacy behind.
By all accounts, Lubbers was a great team leader and notable economist. During his time as Prime Minister, he helped rebuild the Dutch economy after the recession in the 1980s.
During this time, he reformed social security and reduced the deficit. He also worked as a humanitarian addressing many important social causes. His problem-solving skills were legendary, as was his knowledge of political matters.
More market, less government.
Ruud Lubbers
Lubbers believed that funding the sprawling Holland government ate too much of the economy. He encouraged industries to create more jobs. Lubbers also worked with the United Nations and the European Union during his long political career.
Johan Cruyff (1947-2016)
🇳🇱 Birthplace:
Amsterdam, Netherlands
🏢 Career:
Dutch soccer player and manager
Johan Cruyff guided the Netherlands to the finals of the 1974 FIFA World Cup, earning the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player.
Following his retirement from playing, he took on managerial roles at Ajax and Barcelona.
Johan was one of the best soccer players in the history of the sport. Not content to make only one mark on the game, he became a revolutionary coach.
Historically, players trained to play one position only. Total soccer entails cross-training players for every position.
Sport historians credit Cruyff with implementing the Total Football strategy in the early 70s. Today, it is standard practice for players to play at least two positions. In 1999, the International Federation of Football History and Statistics voted Johan Cruyff the European Player of the Century.
Eddie Van Halen (1955-2020)
🇳🇱 Birthplace:
Amsterdam, Netherlands
🏢 Career:
Musician
Born in Amsterdam, Eddie Van Halen is one of the most renowned musicians of his era. Rolling Stone magazine ranks him the eighth-greatest guitarist of all time.
The publication Guitar World contends Eddie is the greatest of all time, full-stop. His Eruption guitar solo is a sterling example of his technical and virtuoso guitar skills.
The van Halen family moved to the United States when Eddie was six years old. He'd grown up in a musical family and had a keen interest in finding his place in music. In 1972, Van Halen formed a band named Genesis, apparently overlooking the already-famous band by that name. His first band was not successful under any name.
Eddie Van Halen became annoyed with singing. He hired David Lee Roth so he could focus on the guitar. The band reached mainstream success in 1977, after record producer Ted Templeman heard them. Van Halen (the band) released their first album in 1978. Eddie continues to influence many guitarists, and remains one of the Netherlands' greatest treasures.
Ruud Gullit (1962-)
🇳🇱 Birthplace:
Amsterdam, Netherlands
🏢 Career:
Soccer Player
An attacking midfielder, Gullit was captain of the Netherlands national team at the Union of European Football Association (UEFA Euro) in 1988, when they won the tournament.
He's played for other high-profile teams, such as Chelsea, Milan and HFC Haarlem. FIFA featured Ruud Gullit on its 2004 list of Top 125 Greatest Living Footballers.
Known for his long dreads and moustache, Gullit won the Ballon d'Or in 1987. Twice, he earned the votes to be World Soccer Player of the Year; in 1987 and 1989. This highlights reel demonstrates how well-deserved those awards are.
Ruud Gullit has retired from playing. Now, he's the assistant manager to Netherland's national football team, a position he has held since 2017.
Marianne Vos (1987-)
🇳🇱 Birthplace:
's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands
🏢 Career:
Cyclist
The Netherlands is famous for its talented soccer players, but it's also a hotbed of cycling talent. For example, the Dutch cyclist, Mariann Vos is one of the finest cyclists of her generation.
She is a road bicycle racer, mountain bike racer and track racer. She has won many world championships and Olympic medals. Most notably, the gold medal in the points race at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. Her cycling skills also claimed the gold medal in the road race at the 2012 London Summer Olympics.
Marianne Vos is one of the Netherlands' most recognizable athletes.
She stands among the most memorable people in Dutch history who have brought the Netherlands to prominence on the world stage. She is in decidedly good company.
There are many important people in Dutch history that have brought the Netherlands to prominence and fame on the world stage. Whether they were or are politicians, artists or athletes they have all done their part to make a difference for their country or experience their 15-minutes of fame!
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I missed the huge Rembrandt van Rijn from this list of famous Dutch people
Max Verstappen