450 Years of Leiden University: Ahead of its time
Leiden University was founded in 1575 and is the oldest university in the Netherlands. The university comprises seven faculties (six in Leiden and one in The Hague), with 33.701 students enrolled in 2025. On February 7, 2025, we celebrate the university's 450th anniversary. The theme of our anniversary year, and also of this Dies Natalis, is 'Ahead of Time'. After all, we have kept our sights set on the future ever since 1575. In this first blog, the early years of Leiden University are outlined.
Early years of Leiden University
Founding Previously, the University of Leuven (founded in 1425) was the designated place for higher and scientific study in the Low Countries. However, due to the Dutch Revolt, this was no longer possible for students from the northern rebellious provinces. There was therefore a need for a new or replacement university institute in the Northern Netherlands. The university was founded by William of Orange in 1575.
At that time, it was important for the Northern Netherlands to be able to train their own clergy (in the new Protestant theology and in Dutch) and for well-educated men to become available to the country and the national government. It is assumed that the choice of Leiden was a gift from William of Orange to the city following the Relief of Leiden. At the instigation of William of Orange, the States of Holland founded a university in Leiden on January 3, 1575. In this way, the Dutch provinces, which were rebellious against Spain, could train their own Protestant ministers and legal officials, and strengthen the unity between the provinces.
Lifelike gods, clashing musketeers, and improvised professors. With a colorful inauguration procession and hundreds of summoned citizens, Leiden celebrated the founding of the Republic's first university on February 8, 1575.
The university was initially housed in the St. Barbara Monastery but moved to the Faliede Bagijnhof on the Rapenburg in 1577, before choosing accommodation in 1581 in the confiscated monastery of the Dominican White Nuns across the canal, which was destroyed by fire in 1616 but rebuilt. This building still serves as the Academy Building of Leiden University. It has undergone various renovations, the most recent in 2007–2009.
16th to 19th century
The first secretary of the university was Jan van Hout, depicted on a postage stamp (left) from 1950 (375 years of Leiden University). At the top of the stamp is the motto of Leiden University: Libertatis Praesidium (= 'Bulwark of Freedom').
Since 1950, a coat of arms has been used, described as: “the shield held by a red lion, holding a raised, unsheathed silver sword with a golden hilt in its right forepaw, the whole on a stone rampart, in which the old motto “Haec libertatis ergo” is written in black letters. The crossed Leiden keys can also be found in the 1st day stamp of October 3, 1950.
The second stamp (right) concerns Janus Dousa (Latinized name of Jan van der Does (1545-1604). Dousa was part of the League of Nobles. In 1572, he was sent as a special envoy to Queen Elizabeth I of England. In the same year, the Dousa family moved from Noordwijk to Leiden when the coastal area became too unsafe due to the actions of the Sea Beggars. Leiden was besieged twice by the Spaniards, in 1573 and 1574. During the second siege, Dousa was commander. The final relief of Leiden in October 1574 was a highlight of his life.
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The presence of scholars such as Justus Lipsius, Josephus Justus Scaliger, Franciscus Gomarus, Hugo Grotius, Jacobus Arminius, Daniël Heinsius, Snellius, and Gerard Vossius bestowed great European prestige upon the University of Leiden, and students came from all over Europe to receive an education there, while renowned scholars came to teach. This position was maintained until the end of the 18th century through the reputation of scholars such as Herman Boerhaave.
In the early 19th century, the university's international reputation declined somewhat because foreign universities, particularly in the emerging German-speaking world, managed to attract many renowned scholars. Nevertheless, in the Netherlands, 'Leiden' remained one of the foremost universities. Famous 19th-century alumni included Johan Rudolph Thorbecke, founder of the Dutch Constitution, and Matthias de Vries, the father of Dutch linguistics. In 1860, Robert Fruin became the first holder of the Chair of National History, marking the beginning of the professional practice of historical science in the Netherlands. To be continued… With thanks to Frans Hemelop for his beautiful designs of Leiden personal seals, which pass for works of art: https://hemelop.nl/
Thanks to Peter Janssen for the franking machine stamps. See www.frankeerstempel.nl for info.
A stamp enthusiast asked me what the following text from this blog has to do with Leiden University?
Since 1950, a coat of arms has been borne, which is described as: “the shield held by a red lion, holding a raised, unsheathed silver sword with a golden hilt in its right forepaw, the whole on a stone rampart, in which the old motto “Haec libertatis ergo” is inscribed in black letters.
I replied to him that this is indeed difficult for a 'non-Leidener' to understand. This text refers to the Leiden city coat of arms and therefore has no direct relationship with Leiden University. And the Leiden city coat of arms is (unfortunately) not depicted.
'Haec Libertatis Ergo' incidentally means: 'this for the sake of freedom'
For your stamp-loving friend, here is some additional info:
a. The FDC for 375 years of Leiden University (1950) refers to an integral whole: envelope, seals, postmark. I provide an explanation regarding the Leiden keys in the postmark.
b. The Leiden coat of arms is indeed connected to the city of Leiden and the university. Without the Relief of Leiden (1574), there would have been no University of Leiden in 1575. Therefore, there is a clear relationship between this issue, the seals, and the designer's stamp.
c. I don't need to include an image of the Leiden coat of arms, because I am explaining the Leiden keys. If I had to include images of every person and object (e.g., artworks), the blog would become very long and unreadable. The other bloggers don't do that either. I have never read a comment about the absence of images.
By the way, thanks for translating the Latin saying!
Dear Randy, as far as I'm concerned, you really don't need to go on the defensive like that. Every blogger has their own style, and that's perfectly fine, isn't it?
I often notice that you copy a lot from Wikipedia and paste it into your blog. That creates a Wikipedia style. I prefer writing my own story. One isn't better than the other, and for the readers, it actually provides variety.
'@Willem: It is not a defense, but an explanation and additional info for your stamp-collecting friend, who doesn't understand my blog. Not even with Wikipedia info. Just let him read the blog again.