Anthonie Heinsius
Anthonie (or Antonius) Heinsius (23 November 1641, Delft – 3 August 1720, The Hague) was a Dutch statesman who served as Grand Pensionary of Holland from 1689 to his death in 1720. Heinsius was a tough negotiator and one of the greatest and most obstinate opponents of the expansionist policies of Louis XIV's France. He was one of the driving forces behind the anti-France coalitions of the Nine Years' War (1688–97) and the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–14).
Anthonie Heinsius | |
|---|---|
Portrait of Anthonie Heinsius (1659), by Gerbrand van den Eeckhout | |
| Grand Pensionary of Holland | |
| In office 26 May 1689 – 3 September 1720 | |
| Preceded by | Michiel ten Hove |
| Succeeded by | Isaac van Hoornbeek |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 23 November 1641 Delft, Dutch Republic |
| Died | 3 September 1720 (aged 78) The Hague, Dutch Republic |
| Political party | States' Party |
| Alma mater | University of Orléans |
Even during the life of King William III, he was seen as the preeminent statesman in Europe outside of France. After the death of William III in 1702, Heinsius' hold on the Dutch States General diminished, but he remained Grand Pensionary of Holland, and replaced William as the main policy maker in the field of foreign affairs of the Dutch Republic. In this he was supported by a Cabinet noir under the direction of his private secretary Abel Tassin d'Alonne.