Jacob Cornelis Matthieu Radermacher

Who was Jacob Cornelis Matthieu Radermacher?

Jacob Cornelis Matthieu Radermacher was a Dutch botanist and author.

Radermacher was born in The Hague, Holland. He was an officer of the Dutch East India Company in Batavia as well as a talented naturalist. Born into an influential Dutch family, his father was Jacob Cornelis Radermacher, who was treasurer-general to the prince. His uncle and his nephew were members of the Board of Directors of the VOC. In 1757, then only sixteen years old, he had traveled to Indonesian to work as a merchant for the VOC. On May 21, 1761 Jacob married Margaretha Sophia Verijssel. In 1762 Radermacher created a Freemasonic circle in Batavia becoming the first Freemasonic lodge in Asia. In 1763 he returned to Holland to continue his studies, and graduated in law at Harderwijk. After graduation on June 13, 1766 he established himself as a lawyer in Arnhem. After a short time, Radermacher made the decision to return to Batavia. On December 20, 1766 with his wife Margaretha and two sons Frans Reinier and Johannes Cornelis, they boarded the ship Tulpenburg bound for Indonesia. His youngest son, Johannes Cornelis, still an infant, died within one month of their departure.