Gerrit van Poelje
Encyclopedia
Gerrit Abraham van Poelje (Maasdijk
, January 31, 1884 - The Hague
, 8 September 1976) was a Dutch civil servant, lawyer and Public Administration scholar. He is considered one of the most important founders of the science of Public Administration
in The Netherlands.
Van Poelje was born on January 31, 1884 in Maasdijk (in the municipality of Naaldwijk) as the son of Izaak Lodewijk Anthonie, a teacher, and Christine Marie Antoinette Garbrij.
Just like his father, Van Poelje aspired to a career as a teacher. He did not succeed in that profession however, because of speech impediment resulting from a harelip. He then studied law
at the Leiden University
, where he also obtained his doctorate in law.
In 1914, he married Lucie Charlotte Hansen. They had two children.
Van Poelje's professional career in the municipal administration progressed rapidly and in 1919 he became a top civil servant in the municipality of The Hague.
Because he was taught to write with his right hand, although he was left-handed, his writing was barely readable. Therefore the municipality of The Hague procured a typewriter
at his request, although the mayor thought that one could not write his ideas on paper when using a typewriter.
In 1928 Van Poelje accepted a professorship in the science of Public Administration at the Nederlandsche Handels-Hoogeschool in Rotterdam
(presently known as the Erasmus University
in Rotterdam),
In this function Van Poelje could develop the Dutch science of Public Administration.
Van Poelje remained professor until 1933, when he became secretary-general of the ministry of education, arts and sciences, a function he held until 1940, when the Nazis invaded The Netherlands.
During the Second World War Van Poelje was interned by the German occupying forces on September 2, 1940, first in the Scheveningen prison, later on in Büchenwald
, Merseburg
and Halle
.
After the Second World War Van Poelje was appointed a member of the Council of State
in August 1945, where he had a dominant input. He served in this function until his retirement in 1958.
The Dutch Association for Public Administration
has linked the name of Van Poelje to its renowned prize for the best publication in the science of Public Administration.
Maasdijk
Maasdijk is a village in the Dutch province of South Holland. It is a part of the municipality of Westland, and lies about 5 km northwest of Maassluis.In 2008, the village of Maasdijk has 7000 inhabitants...
, January 31, 1884 - The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
, 8 September 1976) was a Dutch civil servant, lawyer and Public Administration scholar. He is considered one of the most important founders of the science of Public Administration
Public administration
Public Administration houses the implementation of government policy and an academic discipline that studies this implementation and that prepares civil servants for this work. As a "field of inquiry with a diverse scope" its "fundamental goal.....
in The Netherlands.
Van Poelje was born on January 31, 1884 in Maasdijk (in the municipality of Naaldwijk) as the son of Izaak Lodewijk Anthonie, a teacher, and Christine Marie Antoinette Garbrij.
Just like his father, Van Poelje aspired to a career as a teacher. He did not succeed in that profession however, because of speech impediment resulting from a harelip. He then studied law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
at the Leiden University
Leiden University
Leiden University , located in the city of Leiden, is the oldest university in the Netherlands. The university was founded in 1575 by William, Prince of Orange, leader of the Dutch Revolt in the Eighty Years' War. The royal Dutch House of Orange-Nassau and Leiden University still have a close...
, where he also obtained his doctorate in law.
In 1914, he married Lucie Charlotte Hansen. They had two children.
Van Poelje's professional career in the municipal administration progressed rapidly and in 1919 he became a top civil servant in the municipality of The Hague.
Because he was taught to write with his right hand, although he was left-handed, his writing was barely readable. Therefore the municipality of The Hague procured a typewriter
Typewriter
A typewriter is a mechanical or electromechanical device with keys that, when pressed, cause characters to be printed on a medium, usually paper. Typically one character is printed per keypress, and the machine prints the characters by making ink impressions of type elements similar to the pieces...
at his request, although the mayor thought that one could not write his ideas on paper when using a typewriter.
In 1928 Van Poelje accepted a professorship in the science of Public Administration at the Nederlandsche Handels-Hoogeschool in Rotterdam
Rotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
(presently known as the Erasmus University
Erasmus University
Erasmus University Rotterdam is a university in the Netherlands, located in Rotterdam. The university is named after Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus, a 15th century humanist and theologian...
in Rotterdam),
In this function Van Poelje could develop the Dutch science of Public Administration.
Van Poelje remained professor until 1933, when he became secretary-general of the ministry of education, arts and sciences, a function he held until 1940, when the Nazis invaded The Netherlands.
During the Second World War Van Poelje was interned by the German occupying forces on September 2, 1940, first in the Scheveningen prison, later on in Büchenwald
Buchenwald concentration camp
Buchenwald concentration camp was a German Nazi concentration camp established on the Ettersberg near Weimar, Germany, in July 1937, one of the first and the largest of the concentration camps on German soil.Camp prisoners from all over Europe and Russia—Jews, non-Jewish Poles and Slovenes,...
, Merseburg
Merseburg
Merseburg is a town in the south of the German state of Saxony-Anhalt on the river Saale, approx. 14 km south of Halle . It is the capital of the Saalekreis district. It had a diocese founded by Archbishop Adalbert of Magdeburg....
and Halle
Halle, Saxony-Anhalt
Halle is the largest city in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt. It is also called Halle an der Saale in order to distinguish it from the town of Halle in North Rhine-Westphalia...
.
After the Second World War Van Poelje was appointed a member of the Council of State
Dutch Council of State
In the Netherlands, the Council of State is a constitutionally established advisory body to the government which consists of members of the royal family and Crown-appointed members generally having political, commercial, diplomatic, or military experience...
in August 1945, where he had a dominant input. He served in this function until his retirement in 1958.
The Dutch Association for Public Administration
Dutch Association for Public Administration
The Vereniging voor Bestuurskunde was established in 1973 as a platform for people interested in the field of public administration...
has linked the name of Van Poelje to its renowned prize for the best publication in the science of Public Administration.