Jan Terlouw
Jan Cornelis Terlouw (born 15 November 1931) is a retired Dutch politician of the Democrats 66 (D66) party and physicist and author.
Jan Terlouw | |
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![]() Jan Terlouw in 2014 | |
Member of the Senate | |
In office 8 June 1999 – 10 June 2003 | |
Parliamentary group | Democrats 66 |
Queen's Commissioner of Gelderland | |
In office 1 November 1991 – 1 December 1996 | |
Monarch | Beatrix |
Preceded by | Ad Oele (Ad interim) |
Succeeded by | Jan Kamminga |
Deputy Prime Minister | |
In office 11 September 1981 – 4 November 1982 | |
Prime Minister | Dries van Agt |
Preceded by | Hans Wiegel |
Succeeded by | Gijs van Aardenne |
Minister of Economic Affairs | |
In office 11 September 1981 – 4 November 1982 | |
Prime Minister | Dries van Agt |
Preceded by | Gijs van Aardenne |
Succeeded by | Gijs van Aardenne |
Leader of the Democrats 66 | |
In office 1 September 1973 – 8 September 1982 | |
Deputy | See list
|
Preceded by | Hans van Mierlo |
Succeeded by | Laurens Jan Brinkhorst |
Parliamentary leader in the House of Representatives | |
In office 1 September 1973 – 11 September 1981 | |
Preceded by | Hans van Mierlo |
Succeeded by | Laurens Jan Brinkhorst |
Parliamentary group | Democrats 66 |
Member of the House of Representatives | |
In office 11 May 1971 – 11 September 1981 | |
Parliamentary group | Democrats 66 |
Personal details | |
Born | Jan Cornelis Terlouw 15 November 1931 Kamperveen, Netherlands |
Nationality | Dutch |
Political party | Democrats 66 (from 1967) |
Spouse(s) | Alexandra van Hulst
(m. 1956; died 2017) |
Children | Sanne Terlouw (born 1959) Ashley Terlouw (born 1960) 1 other daughter and 1 son |
Residence | Twello, Netherlands |
Alma mater | Utrecht University (Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Mathematics, Master of Physics, Master of Mathematics, Doctor of Science) |
Occupation | Politician · Nuclear physicist · Mathematician · Researcher · Nonprofit director · Political pundit · Author · Professor |
Military service | |
Allegiance | ![]() |
Branch/service | Royal Netherlands Army |
Years of service | 1956–1958 (Conscription) 1958–1961 (Reserve) |
Rank | ![]() |
Battles/wars | Cold War |
Terlouw studied Physics and Mathematics at the Utrecht University simultaneously obtaining Master of Physics and Mathematics degree and worked as a researcher at the FOM before finishing his thesis and graduated as a Doctor of Science in Nuclear physics. Terlouw worked as a nuclear physics researcher at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) from February 1960 until April 1962 and for the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) from August 1965 until December 1966. After the election of 1971 Terlouw was elected as a Member of the House of Representatives on 11 May 1971 and served as a frontbencher and spokesperson for Economic Affairs and Science. After Party Leader and Parliamentary leader Hans van Mierlo announced he was stepping down Terlouw was unanimously selected as his successor on 1 September 1973.
For the elections of 1977 and 1981 Terlouw served as Lijsttrekker (top candidate) and following a cabinet formation with Christian-democratic Leader Dries van Agt and Labour Leader Joop den Uyl formed the Cabinet Van Agt II with Terlouw appointed as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economic Affairs taking office on 11 September 1981. The cabinet fell just seven months into its term and was replaced with the caretaker Cabinet Van Agt III with Terlouw continuing his offices. For the election of 1982 Terlouw again served as Lijsttrekker but shortly thereafter announced he was stepping down as Leader on 8 September 1982.
Terlouw continued to be active in politics and in December 1982 he was nominated as the next Secretary-General of the International Transport Forum (ITF) serving from 30 January 1983 until 15 October 1991. In October 1991 Terlouw was nominated as the next Queen's Commissioner of Gelderland serving from 1 November 1991 until 1 December 1996. Terlouw also became active in the public sector, and worked as a distinguished professor of Urbanization at the University of Amsterdam from January 1997 until January 2000. After the Senate election of 1999 Terlouw was elected as a Member of the Senate serving from 8 June 1999 until 10 June 2003 and served as a frontbencher and spokesperson for the Interior, Economic Affairs and Defence.
Terlouw retired from active politics at 71 but continued to be active in the public sector as a non-profit director and served on several state commissions and councils on behalf of the government, and worked as a distinguished professor of Literature at the Tilburg University from September 2003 until September 2004. Following his retirement Terlouw continues to be active as a advocate and activist for Social norms, Sustainable development, Animal welfare and for more European integration. Terlouw is known for his abilities as a skillful consensus builder and effective negotiator and continues to comment on political affairs as of 2021.
Terlouw has been active as a prolific author since the 1970's having written more than dozen young adult fiction books, his 1972 novel Winter in Wartime was adapted and released as a feature film in 2008.
Background
Early life and education
Terlouw was born in Kamperveen, Overijssel and grew up in the Veluwe. He was the eldest son a family of five, having two younger brothers and two sisters.
After high school, Terlouw studied at Utrecht University, where he obtained an MSc degree in mathematics and physics, and a PhD degree in nuclear physics.
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Career
After graduating from Utrecht University, he worked as a physics researcher in the Netherlands, the United States, and Sweden.
After working for thirteen years, he became a politician, joining the Dutch House of Representatives (the lower house of the Dutch legislature) as a member of the Democraten 66 political party in 1970
Personal life
Terlouw was married to Alexandra van Hulst until her death on 23 August 2017. Terlouw is a father of four and grandfather of twelve.
Publications
Terlouw wrote 24 children's books, most notably Winter in Wartime (Oorlogswinter, 1972) and How to Become King (Koning van Katoren, 1971), both of which won the Gouden Griffel and have been made into motion pictures directed by Martin Koolhoven.[1][2]
Terlouw's books have been illustrated by various illustrators, including Dick van der Maat, Martijn van der Linden and Fiel van der Veen.
Awards
- 1972 Gouden Griffel for the novel How to Become King
- 1973 Gouden Griffel for the novel Winter in Wartime
- 1990 Prize of the Netherlands Children's Jury for the novel The Figure-skater
- 2000 Prize of the Dutch Joung Jury for Eigen rechter (1988)[3]
Decorations
Honours | ||||
Ribbon bar | Honour | Country | Date | Comment |
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Commander of the Order of Orange-Nassau | Netherlands | 9 December 1982 | |
References
- "Jan Terlouw: Biography". Dutch Foundation for Literature. Retrieved 26 March 2010.
- "Jan Terlouw". WorldCat.org. Retrieved 26 March 2010.
- Eigen rechter (in Dutch). Lemniscaat. 1998. ISBN 978-9056371548.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jan Terlouw. |
- Official
- (in Dutch) Dr. J.C. (Jan) Terlouw Parlement & Politiek
- (in Dutch) Dr. J.C. Terlouw (D66) Eerste Kamer der Staten-Generaal
Party political offices | ||
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Preceded by Hans van Mierlo |
Leader of the Democrats 66 1973–1982 |
Succeeded by Laurens Jan Brinkhorst |
Parliamentary leader of the Democrats 66 in the House of Representatives 1973–1981 | ||
Preceded by Hans van Mierlo 1972 |
Lijsttrekker of the Democrats 66 1977 • 1981 • 1982 |
Succeeded by Hans van Mierlo 1986 |
Political offices | ||
Preceded by Hans Wiegel |
Deputy Prime Minister 1981–1982 Served alongside: Joop den Uyl |
Succeeded by Gijs van Aardenne |
Preceded by Gijs van Aardenne |
Minister of Economic Affairs 1981–1982 | |
Preceded by Ad Oele Ad interim |
Queen's Commissioner of Gelderland 1991–1996 |
Succeeded by Jan Kamminga |
Business positions | ||
Preceded by Unknown |
Chairman of the Supervisory board of the GelreDome 1996–2000 |
Succeeded by Unknown |
Non-profit organization positions | ||
Preceded by Gijs van Aardenne |
Chairman of the Supervisory board of the Energy Research Centre 1995–2005 |
Succeeded by Ruud Lubbers |
Academic offices | ||
Preceded by Annemieke Roobeek |
Distinguished Professor Wibaut Chair of the University of Amsterdam 1997–1999 |
Succeeded by Geert Mak |
Preceded by Leo Vroman |
Distinguished Professor Leonardo Chair of the Tilburg University 2003–2004 |
Succeeded by Ted van Lieshout |