Nicolaes Witsen

Nicolaes Witsen was a Dutch statesman who was mayor of Amsterdam thirteen times, between 1682 and 1706. In 1693, he became administrator of the Dutch East India Company (VOC). In 1689, he was extraordinary-ambassador to the English court and became Fellow of the Royal Society. In his free time, he was cartographer, maritime writer, and an authority on shipbuilding. His books on the subject are important sources on Dutch shipbuilding in the 17th century. Furthermore, he was an expert on Russian affairs. He was the first to describe Siberia, the Far East and Central Asia in his study Noord en Oost Tartarye [North and East Tartary].

8 May 1641

Born on the same birth day (8 May): Aloysius Stepinac • Andrea Barzagli • Gaius de Gaay Fortman • Jack Charlton • Niels Juel • Ted Sorensen • Teddy Wakelam • William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire

Born in the same month (May 1641): Dositheus II of Jerusalem • Dudley North (economist)