The University of Leyden being founded in 1575, Cornelius de Groot resigned his post in the magistracy, to follow his ruling inclination of being useful to youth; and did not think it beneath him to accept of a Professor’s place in the new University:  he first taught Philosophy, and was afterwards made Law-professor; an employment that pleased him so much, he preferred it to a seat in the Grand Council at the Hague, which was several times offered him, but which he constantly refused.  His reputation was so great, the Grand Council often consulted with him on affairs of importance.  Six times he was honoured with the dignity of Rector, a place of great honour and authority:  the members of the University, and all who are enrolled in the Rector’s book, depend on his jurisdiction; before him their causes, civil and criminal, are brought, and from his sentence there is no appeal:  a revisal of it is all that can be demanded.  Cornelius de Groot died without issue in the year 1610, on the same day of the month of July on which he was born.  He left several Law Tracts which have never been printed.

IV.  John de Groot, brother to Cornelius and second son of Hugh, studied under the famous Justus Lipsius, who esteemed him much:  in some letters of that learned man to John de Groot he speaks of him with great commendation.  There is one, written in 1582, in which Lipsius tells him, “You have loved the Muses, they have loved you, they will love you, and I too with them will love you.”  We have still preserved by his son[5] a translation in verse, made by him in his youth of some Greek verses of Palladas.  He also wrote a Paraphrase on the Epistle of St. John; which Hugo Grotius mentions in one of his Letters[6].

Four times he was Burgomaster of Delft, and Curator of the University of Leyden:  this last was a place of great consequence at that time.  There are only three Curators in the University of Leyden; one is taken from the body of the nobility, and nominated by them; the two others are chosen by the States of the Province from among the cities of Holland, or the Courts of Justice.

The Curators with the Burgomasters of Leyden have the direction of whatever regards the welfare and advantage of the University; they chuse the Professors, and have the care of the finances and revenues for payment of their salaries.

John de Groot filled the place of Curator with great dignity and honour.  Daniel Heinsius wrote some verses in his praise, in which he styles him the Apollo and Protector of the Muses.

This dignity did not hinder him from taking the degree of Doctor of Laws.  In the remaining part of his life he attached himself to the Count of Hohenloo, who made him his Counsellor.

In 1582 he married Alida Averschie, of one of the first families in the Country; by whom he had three sons and a daughter.  He died in the month of May 1640.  In the same year his wife lost her eyesight; she lived till the beginning of the year 1643[7].