John Rudolph Tolbeck

Born in Zwolle, Tolbeck studied classical literature and philosophy in Amsterdam, and later attended several German universities.

Tolbeck led his third cabinet on January 4, 1871, his plans for army reform failed, and he fell ill in December of that year. He did not recover and died at his home in The Hague. He was a leading Dutch political figure in the mid-19th century and played an important role in the history of the Dutch Parliament. There are two statues of him in Amsterdam and Zwolle, and one of the rooms in the Dutch Parliament building is named after him.

He has written many historical articles, but also on many newspaper topics (notably in the Journal de La Haye). He has published a study of historical philosophy (in German), and all his speeches in Parliament have been published.