Gerrit Schimmelpenninck

Gerrit Schimmelpenninck, born on February twenty-fifth, 1794, was a prominent Dutch businessman and politician whose political ideology spanned the spectrum from liberal to conservative. He was the son of Grand Pensionary Rutger Jan Schimmelpenninck and was a devout member of the Dutch Reformed Church.

Schimmelpenninck's career was marked by significant roles, including his tenure as the chief of the Nederlandsche Handelmaatschappij. His diplomatic journey took him to Saint Petersburg and later to London, where he served as head of secretary. His appointment as the first Prime Minister of the Netherlands, then referred to as the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, was orchestrated by William II, primarily to exclude Thorbecke from the Council.

In March eighteen forty-eight, Schimmelpenninck assumed the role of Chairman of the Council of Ministers, simultaneously holding the positions of Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Finance. He proposed a new Constitution modeled after the British system, which would prevent the King from dissolving the Senate; however, this proposal was ultimately rejected by his fellow ministers.

On May fourteenth, eighteen forty-eight, Schimmelpenninck resigned from his position and was succeeded by Jacob de Kempenaer. His contributions to Dutch politics were recognized when he was granted the honorary title of Minister of State on December first, eighteen thirty-six.