Johan van Oldenbarnevelt

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Johan van Oldenbarnevelt
Portrayed by Michiel Jansz. van Mierevelt (c. 1616), Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
Grand Pensionary of Holland
In office 1586 – 1619
Preceded by	Paulus Buys
Succeeded by	Andries de Witt
Pensionary of Rotterdam
In office 1576 – 1586
Personal details
Born	(1547-09-14)14 September 1547 Amersfoort, Spanish Netherlands
Died	13 May 1619(1619-05-13) (aged 71) The Hague, Dutch Republic
Spouse	Maria van Utrecht ​ (m. 1575)​
Children	Jan van Oldenbarnevelt Adriana Geertruida van Oldenbarnevelt Maria Johanna Petronella van Oldenbarnevelt Reinier van Oldenbarnevelt Willem van Oldenbarnevelt
Parents	Gerrit van Oldenbarnevelt (father) Deliana van Weede (mother)
Alma mater	University of Leuven University of Bourges University of Cologne Heidelberg University University of Padua

Johan van Oldenbarnevelt (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈjoːɦɑɱ vɑn ɔldə(m)ˈbɑrnəvɛlt]), Heer van Berkel en Rodenrijs (1600), Gunterstein (1611) and Bakkum (1613) (14 September 1547 – 13 May 1619) was a Dutch statesman and revolutionary who played an important role in the Dutch struggle for independence from Spain. He is generally considered as one of the greatest and most important political figures in the history of The Netherlands.

Van Oldenbarnevelt was born in Amersfoort. He studied law at the universities of Leuven, Bourges, Heidelberg, and Padua, and traveled in France and Italy before settling permanently in The Hague. He favored William the Silent in his revolt against Philip II of Spain, and fought in William's army. In his later years he was a supporter of the Arminians, during the religious-political controversy which split the young Dutch Republic. He was the founder of the Dutch East India Company.