ANTHONY

See also:

• VAN

VAN

See also:

• ANTHONY VAN DIEMEN (1593–1645)

DIEMEN (1593–1645)  , Dutch admiral and governor-general of the East Indian settlements, was born at Kuilenburg in 1593 . He was educated in commerce, and on entering the service of the East India Company speedily attained high rank . In 1631 he led a Dutch fleet from the Indies to Holland, and in 1636 he was raised to the governor-generalship . He came into conflict with the Portuguese, and took their possessions in Ceylon and Malacca from them . He greatly extended the commercial relationships of the Dutch, opening up trade with Tong-king, China and Japan . As an administrator also he showed ability, and the foundation of a Latin school and several churches in Batavia is to be ascribed to him . Exploring expeditions were sent to Australia under his auspices in 1636 and 1642, and Abel Tasman named after him (Van Diemen's Land) the island now called Tasmania . Van Diemen died at Batavia on the 19th of April 1645 .