Famous People

Architecture

• Aldo van Eyck (1918-1999), architect
• Gerrit Rietveld (1888-1964), architect
• Hendrik Petrus Berlage (1856-1934), architect
• Jaap Bakema (1914-1981), architect
• Jacobus Oud (1890-1963), architect
• Johannes van den Broek (1898-1978), architect
• Pierre Cuypers (1827-1921), architect
• Rem Koolhaas (born 1944), architect
• Willem Marinus Dudok (1884-1974), architect

Exploration

• Abel Tasman, (1603-1659), extensive voyages around Australia and southwest Pacific, discovered a.o. Tasmania, New Zealand and Tonga
• Abraham Blauvelt (died 1663), Central America
• Adriaen Block (1567-1627), New Netherlands
• Alexandrine Tinné (1839-1869), Sahara desert crossing
• Cornelis de Houtman, (1565-1599), brother to Frederick, established Dutch trading route to the Spice Islands
• Cornelius Jacobsen Mey, New Jersey (1614-1620)
• Dirk Hartog, (1580-1621), VOC captain, charted mid-western coast of Australia
• François Thijssen, charted 1000 miles of the Australian South Coast in 1627
• Frederick de Houtman, (1571-1627), brother to Cornelis, charted several constellations in the southern skies, explored coast of Western Australia
• Hendrik Brouwer (1580-1643), discovered the Roaring Forties
• Jacob Le Maire (c.1585-1616), Cape Horn, 1616 circumnavigation
• Jacob Quaeckernaeck (died 1606), reached Japan via Street of Magellan and Moluccas
• Jacob van Heemskerk, (1567-1607), captain of one of Barent's ships on his last fatal expedition
• Jakob Roggeveen (1659-1729), Easter Island
• Jan Carstenszoon, (c.1595-?), New Guinea coast, navigated the Gulf of Carpentaria in 1623
• Jan Rijp, saved remainder of Willem Barents' crew in 1597
• Matthijs Quast (died 1641), Japan, Bonin Islands, and legendary islands East of Japan
• Olivier Brunel (ca.1540-1585), tried to find a passage around Siberia to China
• Olivier van Noort (1558-1627), 1598 circumnavigation
• Sebald de Weert (died 1602), discovered Falkland Islands
• Simon van der Stel (1639-1702), explored South Africa North and East of Cape Town
• Willem Barents, (1550?-1597), several expeditions to Arctic waters. Discovered Spitsbergen
• Willem de Vlamingh (1640-17??), Western Australia
• Willem Janszoon, (c.1570-1630), first European expedition to make landfall on the Australian continent
• Willem Schouten (1567-1625), Cape Horn, 1616 circumnavigation

Film

• Anneliese van der Pol, (born 1984), actress
• Audrey Hepburn, (born 1929, died in 1993), actress
• Bracha van Doesburgh, (born 1981), actress
• Carice van Houten, (born 1976), actress
• Famke Janssen, (born 1965), actress
• Jan de Bont, (born 1943), cinematographer, director (Speed)
• Jeroen Krabbé, (born 1944), actor, director
• Johanna ter Steege, (born 1961), actress
• Johannes Heesters, (born 1903), actor
• Monique van de Ven, (born 1952), actress
• Paul Verhoeven, (born 1938), director
• Rene Daalder, (born 1944), director
• Renée Soutendijk, (born 1957), actress
• Rutger Hauer, (born 1944), actor
• Sylvia Kristel, (born 1952), actress
• Theo van Gogh, (born 1957, died 2004), director
• Willeke van Ammelrooy, (born 1944), actress

Historians

• Geert Mak, (born 1946)
• Jan Romein, (1893-1962)
• Johan Huizinga, (1872-1945)
• Loe de Jong, (1914-2005)
• Petrus Scriverius, (1576-1660)
• Pieter Corneliszoon Hooft, (1581-1647)

Military

• Cornelis Tromp, naval officer
• Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange, (1584-1647), general and stadtholder
• Karel Doorman, (1889-1942), naval officer
• Maarten Tromp, (born 1598), naval officer
• Maurice of Nassau, Prince of Orange, (1567-1625), general and stadtholder
• Michiel de Ruyter, (1607-1676), naval officer
• Piet Pieterszoon Hein, (1577-1629), naval officer

Music

• Abbie de Quant, flautist
• Alex Van Halen, drummer of Van Halen
• Alphons Diepenbrock, composer
• Amber, singer
• André Hazes (1951-2004), singer
• Anouk, singer
• Arjen Anthony Lucassen, composer and musician
• Armin van Buuren, popular Trance DJ
• Bart Berman, pianist, composer
• Boudewijn de Groot (1944-), singer, actor
• Candy Dulfer, saxophone player
• Cristina Deutekom, singer classical music
• Dick Annegarn (1952-), singer, musician
• Dominique van Hulst, singer, popularly known as Do
• Eddie Van Halen, guitarist of Van Halen
• Edo de Waart, conductor
• Elly Ameling, singer classical music
• Gerard Cornielje (1962-), jazz musician and poet
• Herman Brood (1946-2001), rock musician and artist
• Herman van Veen (1945-), singer, theatre performer
• Ilse Huizinga (1966-), jazz singer
• Jaap Spaanderman, pianist, cellist, conductor
• Jaap van Zweden, violinist and conductor
• Jan Akkerman, guitar player
• Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck, composer and organist
• Jan van Gilse (1881-1944), composer
• Janine Jansen, violinist
• Jelle van Tongeren Jazz violinist
• Jeroen van Veen,Bassist Of Within Temptation
• Johan Wagenaar (1862-1941), composer
• Julius Röntgen (1855-1932), composer
• Klaas de Vries (1944-), composer
• Louis Andriessen (1939-), composer
• Marco Borsato (1966-), singer
• Margriet Ehlen (1943-), composer
• Martijn Spierenburg, keyboardist Of Within Temptation
• Matthijs Vermeulen (1888-1967), composer
• Matthijs Verschoor, classical pianist
• Matthijs Verschoor, pianist
• Peter Koelewijn (1940-) Founder of Dutch Rock and Roll
• Ramses Shaffy (1933-), singer
• Robert Westerholt,Guitarist of Within Temptation
• Rogier van Otterloo, composer
• Ruud Adrianus Jolie,Guitarist of Within Temptation
• Sharon Den Adel,siger of Within Temptation
• Stephen van Haestregt,Dummer Of Within Temptation
• Tess Gaerthé (1991-), actress and singer
• Theo Bruins, pianist, composer
• Thomas Acda (1967-), singer, actor
• Tijs Verwest, DJ (better known as DJ Tiësto)
• Tim Kliphuis, jazz violinist
• Willem Breuker (1944-), jazz musician
• Willem Mengelberg (1871-1951), conductor
• Willem Pijper, composer

Philosophy

• Baruch Spinoza, (1632-1677), philosopher
• Cornelis Petrus Tiele (1830-1902), theologian and historian of religion
• Desiderius Erasmus, writer, polemicist, humanist Protestant Reformation
• Evert Willem Beth (1908-1964)
• François Hemsterhuis (1721-1790)
• Herman Dooyeweerd, philosopher Vrije Universiteit
• Hugo Grotius (1583-1645), also lawyer, playwright, and poet
• Isaac Beeckman (1588-1637)
• Johannes Jacobus Poortman (1896-1970)

Politics

• Abraham Kuyper, prime minister
• Anton Mussert, (1894-1946), national-socialist, leader of the Nationaal-Socialistische Beweging
• Barend Biesheuvel, (1920-2001), prime minister
• Charles Ruijs de Beerenbrouck, (1873, 1936), prime minister
• Cornelis van Geelkerken, (1901-1979) national-socialist, co-founder of the Nationaal-Socialistische Beweging
• Dirk Jan de Geer, (1870-1960), prime minister
• Dries van Agt, (1931-), Dutch prime-minister (1977-1982)
• Ferdinand Domela Nieuwenhuis, (1846-1919)
• Frederick Henry, Prince of Orange, (1584-1647), general and stadtholder
• Hans Janmaat, (1934-2002), right-wing nationalist party leader
• Hans van den Broek, (born 1936), foreign minister, European Commission member
• Hans Wiegel, (1941), minister of home affairs, vice-prime minister, Commissioner of the Queen
• Hendrikus Colijn, (1869-1944), prime minister
• Jan de Quay, (1901-1985) prime minister
• Jan Heemskerk, prime minister
• Jan Peter Balkenende, (born 1956), prime minister (2002-)
• Jelle Zijlstra, (1918-2001), prime minister
• Jo Cals, (1914-1971), prime minister
• Johan de Witt, (1625-1672), statesman
• Johan Rudolf Thorbecke, (1798-1872), prime minister
• Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, (1547-1619), statesman
• Joop den Uyl, (1919-1987), prime minister (1973-1977)
• Joseph Luns, minister of foreign affairs, NATO Secretary General
• Louis Beel, (1902-1977), prime minister
• Maurice of Nassau, Prince of Orange, (1567-1625), general and stadtholder
• Pier Gerlofs Donia, (1480 - 1520), legendary warrior, folk hero, freedom fighter and rebel
• Piet de Jong, (born 1915), prime minister
• Pieter Cort van der Linden, (1846-1935), prime minister
• Pieter Jelles Troelstra
• Pieter Oud, (1886-1966) leader and founder of the People's Party for Freedom and Democracy
• Pim Fortuyn, (1948-2002), politician, assassinated in 2002 elections
• Ruud Lubbers, prime minister (1982-1994), UNHCR High Commissioner (2001-2005)
• Victor Marijnen, prime minister
• Willem Drees, (1886-1988), prime minister (1948-1958)
• William III of Orange, (1650-1702), stadtholder and king of England
• William the Silent, (1533-1584), stadtholder
• Wim Duisenberg, (1935-2005), minister, president European Central Bank
• Wim Kok, (born 1938), prime minister (1994-2002)

Science and Technology

• Anthony Fokker, (1890-1939), aviation engineer
• Anton Pannekoek, (1873-1960), astronomer
• Anton van Leeuwenhoek, (1632-1723), scientist
• Arend Heyting, (1898-1980), mathematician
• Bartel Leendert van der Waerden, (1903-1996), mathematician
• Bram Moolenaar, computer programmer, author of text-editor Vim
• C.H.D. Buys Ballot, (1817-1890), chemist and meteorologist
• Carel van Schaik, primatologist
• Christiaan Eijkman, (1858-1930), physician and pathologist
• Christiaan Huygens, (1629-1695), mathematician and physicist
• Cornelius Drebbel, (1572-1633), inventor and engineer
• Daniel Bernoulli, (1700-1782), mathematician and physicist
• David Adriaan van Dorp, (1915-1995), chemist
• David Fabricius, (1564-1617), astronomer
• David van Dantzig, (1900-1959), mathematician
• Edsger Dijkstra, (1930-2002), computer scientist
• Eise Eisinga, (1744-1828), astronomer
• Eugène Dubois, (1858-1944), palaeontologist and anatomist
• Frans van Schooten, (1615-1660), mathematician
• Frits Zernike, (1888-1966), physicist
• Gerard Kuiper, (1905-1973), astronomer
• Gerardus 't Hooft, (born 1946), physicist
• Guido van Rossum, computer programmer, inventor of the Python programming language
• Gustav de Vries, (1866-1934), mathematician
• Heike Kamerlingh Onnes, (1853-1926), physicist
• Hendrik Casimir, (1909-2000), physicist
• Hendrik Lorentz, (1853-1928), physicist
• Hendrik Tennekes, (1936-), aerodynamics professor
• Hendrik Zwaardemaker, (1857-1930), scientist
• Herman Boerhaave, (1668-1738), physician
• Hugo de Vries, (1848-1937), geneticist
• Jacobus Henricus van 't Hoff, (1852-1911), chemist
• Jacobus Kapteyn, (1851-1922), astronomer
• Jan Oort, (1900-1992), astronomer
• Jan Swammerdam, (1637-1680), scientist
• Jan Tinbergen, (1903-1994), economist
• Johannes Diderik van der Waals, (1837-1923), physicist
• Laurens Janszoon Coster, (1370-1440), printer
• Ludolph van Ceulen, (1540-1610), mathematician
• Luitzen Egbertus Jan Brouwer, (1881-1966), mathematician
• Maarten Schmidt, (1929-), astronomer
• Martinus J. G. Veltman, (born 1931), physicist
• Nico Tinbergen, (1907-1988), ecologist
• Nicolaas Bloembergen, (1920-), physicist
• Nicolaas Govert de Bruijn, (1918-), mathematician
• Paul J. Crutzen, (1933-), atmospheric chemist
• Peter Debye, (1884-1966), chemist
• Pieter Kok, (1972-), physicist
• Pieter Zeeman, (1865-1943), physicist
• Richard Gill, (1951-), mathematician
• Robbert Dijkgraaf, (1960-), physicist
• Simon Stevin, (1548-1620), mathematician and engineer
• Simon van der Meer, (1925-), physicist
• Thomas Joannes Stieltjes, (1856-1894), mathematician
• Tjalling Koopmans, (1910-1985), economist
• Valerie Frissen, (1960), Social Scientist
• Wiebe Bijker, (1951), Social Scientist
• Willebrord Snell, (1580-1626), astronomer and mathematician
• Willem de Sitter, (1872-1934), mathematician, physicist and astronomer
• Willem Einthoven, (1860-1927), physician
• Willem Hendrik Keesom, (1878-1956), physicist
• Wubbo Ockels, (1946-), astronaut

Supermodels

• Daniella van Graas, (born 1975)
• Doutzen Kroes, (born 1985)
• Frederique van der Wal, (born 1967)
• Karen Mulder, (born 1970)
• Mark Vanderloo, (born 1968)
• Querelle Jansen, (born 1985)
• Rianne ten Haken, (born 1986)
• Shemar Moore (born 1970)
• Wilhelmina Cooper (1940-1980)
• Yfke Sturm, (born 1981)

Sports

• Ada Kok (born 1947), swimmer
• Anky van Grunsven (born 1968), dressage
• Anton Geesink (born 1934), judoka
• Ard Schenk (born 1944), speed skater
• Arie Luyendyk (born 1953), race car driver
• Arjen Robben (born 1984), football player
• Arnold Vanderlyde (born 1963), boxer
• Bart Veldkamp (born 1967), speed skater
• Bep van Klaveren (1907-1992), boxer
• Bert van Vlaanderen (born 1964), long-distance runner
• Betty Stöve (born 1945), tennis player
• Carina Benninga (born 1962), field hockey player
• Carole Thate (born 1971), field hockey player
• Cees Jan Diepeveen (born 1956), field hockey player
• Christijan Albers (born 1979), Formula 1 driver
• Clarence Seedorf (born 1976), football player
• Dan Gadzuric (born 1978), NBA player
• Dennis Bergkamp (born 1969), football player
• Det de Beus (born 1958), field hockey goalkeeper
• Edgar Davids (born 1973), football player
• Edwin van der Sar (born 1970), football player
• Ellen Hoog (born 1986), field hockey player
• Ellen van Langen (born 1966), athlete
• Ernesto Hoost (born 1965), kickboxer
• Fanny Blankers-Koen (1918-2004), athlete
• Floris Jan Bovelander (born 1966), field hockey player
• Frank de Boer (born 1970), football player
• Frank Rijkaard (born 1962), football player and manager
• Gianni Romme (born 1973), speed skater
• Giovanni van Bronckhorst (born 1975), football player
• Guus Hiddink (born 1946), football player and manager
• Hans Wouda (born 1941), water polo player
• Harm Wiersma (born 1953), checkers player
• Inge de Bruijn (born 1974), swimmer
• Jacco Eltingh (born 1970), tennis player
• Jacques Brinkman (born 1966), field hockey player
• Jan Janssen (born 1940), cyclist
• Jan Timman (born 1951), chess player
• Jelle Klaasen (born 1984), darts player
• Jim Van der Meer (born 1980), Dutch-Canadian ice hockey player
• Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (born 1972), football player
• Jochem Uytdehaage (born 1976), speed skater
• Johan Cruijff (born 1947), football player and manager
• Joop Zoetemelk (born 1946), cyclist
• Jos Verstappen (born 1972), A1 Grand Prix racing driver
• Kees Verkerk (born 1942), speed skater
• Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (born 1983), football player
• Leontien van Moorsel (born 1970), cyclist
• Louis van Gaal (born 1951), football player and manager
• Lucia Rijker (born 1967), boxer and kickboxer
• Marc Delissen (born 1965), field hockey player
• Marcel Wouda (born 1972), swimmer
• Marco van Basten (born 1964), football player and manager
• Mart Bras (born 1950), water polo player
• Martin Verkerk (born 1978), tennis player
• Max Euwe (1901-1981), chess player
• Nico Landeweerd (born 1954), water polo player
• Patrick Kluivert (born 1976), football player
• Paul Haarhuis (born 1966), tennis player
• Petra van Staveren (born 1966), swimmer
• Pieter van den Hoogenband (born 1978), swimmer
• Raymond van Barneveld (born 1967), darts player
• Regilio Tuur (born 1967), boxer
• Rens Blom (born 1977), 2005 World Champion pole vault
• Richard Krajicek (born 1971), tennis player
• Rie Mastenbroek (1919-2003), swimmer
• Rik Smits (born 1966), NBA player
• Rintje Ritsma (born 1970), speed skater
• Robert Doornbos (born 1981), Formula 1 driver
• Robin van Persie (born 1983), football player
• Ronald de Boer (born 1970), football player
• Ronald Koeman (born 1963), football player and manager
• Rutger Smith (born 1981), athlete
• Ruud Gullit (born 1962), football player and coach
• Ruud van Nistelrooy (born 1976), football player
• Sjoukje Dijkstra, figure skater
• Stan van Belkum (born 1961), water polo player
• Teun de Nooijer (born 1976), field hockey player
• Ties Kruize (born 1952), field hockey player
• Tinus Osendarp (1916-2002), athlete
• Tom Okker (born 1944), tennis player
• Ton Buunk (born 1952), water polo player
• Wil Hartog (born 1948) Grand Prix motorcycle racer
• Willem van Hanegem (born 1944), football player and coach
• Wim Ruska (born 1940), judoka
• Yvonne van Gennip (born 1964), speed skater

Visual Arts

• Aelbert Cuyp (1620-1691), painter
• Ambrosius Bosschaert (1573-1612), painter
• Anton Corbijn, photographer
• Bernard Accama (d.1756), painter
• Dick Bruna (born 1927), graphical artist
• Frans Hals (1580-1666), painter
• Geertgen tot Sint Jans (active 1465-1495), painter
• Han van Meegeren (1889-1947), forger of paintings
• Helen Berman (1936-), painter
• Hendrick Avercamp (1585-1634), painter
• Hendrik Nicolaas Werkman (1882-1945), typographer and illustrator
• Hieronymus Bosch (1450-1516), painter
• Jacob de Wit (1695-1754), painter
• Jan de Bray (1627-1697), painter
• Jan Steen (1626-1679), painter
• Jan van Goyen (1596-1656), painter
• Johannes Vermeer (1632-1675), painter
• Karel Appel (1921-2006), painter
• Ludolf Backhuysen (1631-1708), painter
• M. C. Escher (1898-1972), graphical artist
• Piet Mondrian (1872-1944), painter
• Pieter de Hooch (1629-1684), painter
• Pieter van Abeele (1622-1677), medallist
• Rembrandt van Rijn (1606-1669), painter
• Theo van Doesburg (1883-1931), painter
• Thierry Veltman (1939-) painter and sculptor
• Vincent van Gogh (1853-1890), painter
• Willem de Kooning (1904-1997), painter
• Willem Drost (1630-1680), painter and print maker

Writing

• A. C. Baantjer (born 1923), writer of detective fiction
• Anne Frank, Jewish diarist during World War II
• Arnon Grünberg, (born 1971)
• Cees Nooteboom, novelist
• Constantijn Huygens
• Geert Groote
• Gerard Reve, novelist
• Gerrit Krol, novelist, poet
• Harry Mulisch, (born 1927), novelist
• Hella Haasse, novelist
• Isabelle de Charrière, novelist
• Jacob Cats, poet
• Jan de Hartog (1914-2002), novelist
• Jan Wolkers, (born 1925)
• Janwillem van de Wetering, (born 1931), novelist
• Joost van den Vondel (1587-1674), poet, playwright
• Multatuli, novelist
• Nescio
• Pieter Corneliszoon Hooft, (1581-1647)
• Remco Campert, novelist, poet
• Tjalie Robinson, (1911-1974)
• Willem Frederik Hermans, novelist
• Willem Oltmans (1925-2004), journalist
• Xaviera Hollander, writer

Other Famous Dutch People

• Anton Philips, co-founder of the Royal Philips Electronics
• Corrie ten Boom, Christian activist during the Holocaust
• Evert Dudok, president of EADS Astrium Space Transportation
• Frans van der Hoff (1939-), Co-founder of Max Havelaar, the first Fairtrade certification initiative
• Gerard Philips, (1858-1942), co-founder of the Royal Philips Electronics
• Gretta Duisenberg, pro-Palestinian activist and the wife of Wim Duisenberg
• Hendrikje van Andel-Schipper, (1890-2005), oldest person in world May 2004 to Aug 30, 2005
• Hugo de Groot, jurist
• Jacob Eelkens, first commander of the first Dutch fort in America (fort Nassau)
• Jan Sloot, inventor
• Mata Hari, spy
• Peter Stuyvesant, (1592-1672), governor of the New Netherlands
• Pope Adrian VI, (1522-1523), pope from 1522 to 1523
• Roel Pieper, (1956-), businessman and professor