Adriaen Cornelissen van der Donck

Adriaen Cornelissen van der Donck was a Dutch landowner who actively promoted colonization of the New Netherlands in several of his works.

Born in Breda in the southern Netherlands, Adriaen completed civil and canon laws at the University of Leiden before he went to New Netherlands in 1641. Initially he obtained a post of a schout, a combination of sheriff and prosecutor, for a large estate Renselaerswijck around present-day Albany owned by Kiliaen van Renssalaer.

During the next five years, Adriaen learnt a lot about the land and its inhabitants. He used that knowledge to actively promote colonization of the colony, and with that purpose he wrote several tracts, including “Description of New Netherland”.

Because of his extensive knowledge of local customs, he was hired by Willem Kieft, Director-General of New Netherland who wanted to end the war with Indians. For his services of a guide and interpreter, Adriaen was rewarded with 24,000 acres of land on the mainland of Manhattan in 1646 which he named Colen Donck.

Apart from being a landowner, Adriaen was also known for his engagement in the political life of New Netherland colony.

He died in 1655 on his estate in the New World.