biography
| name: |
Daendels, Herman Willem
|
pronunciation:
[dahndels]
| sex:
| male
|
| lived:
| (1762–1818)
|
| biography:
| Dutch politician and general, born in Hattem, NC Netherlands. After joining the Patriots and taking part in the defence of Amsterdam against the Prussians, he fled to France and returned as a general with the French army under Pichegru. As an ardent ‘unionist’ he served the Batavian Republic, but had to resign after being held responsible for military failings against the Anglo-Russian threat in North Holland. He was recalled by Louis Napoleon, and in 1807 made governor-general of the East-Indies, with orders to defend them against the English. His rule was oppressive but he suppressed many abuses, which made him enemies, and enriched himself. He is remembered for having the Grand Trunk Road built in Java. After his recall in 1810 he served in Napoleon's Russian campaign, and after the restoration was appointed governor of the Dutch Gold Coast by King William I. |
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