The Dutch statesman Johan de Witt (1625-1672), as councilor pensionary of Holland from 1653 to 1672, led the Dutch Republic after the end of its war of independence.

A man of keen intelligence, displayed notably in his contributions to mathematics and actuarial science, Johan or Jan de Witt used his post as chief minister of the States of Holland to prevent or limit the restoration of the powers of the Prince of Orange. The era of his government is known in Dutch history as the first stadholderless period because no stadholder (governor) was named in Holland and four other Dutch provinces from the death of William II in 1650 until the election of William III in 1672.

De Witt was born at Dordrecht on Sept. 24, 1625, into a family of prosperous merchants and lawyers. With his older brother Cornelius, he studied law at Leiden (1641-1644), and he also studied mathematics with great enthusiasm...