De man van 1848 - Dirk Donker Curtius

Waardt, M.J. van de (2019)

Doctoral Thesis

This work presents a political biography of nineteenth century lawyer and statesman Dirk Donker Curtius. Donker advocated freedom of religion, speech and press through lawsuits, brochures and articles and found himself at the centre of power amidst the 1848 political and societal developments. This dissertation reveals that Donker had a larger role than assumed in the Dutch liberal discourse in development of the liberal movement prior to 1848 and practical implementation of reformist ideas thereafter. Specifically, this study of Donker’s career argues that through his skilful and pragmatic service as Minister of Justice in the first years after the creation of the 1848 liberal constitution, he played a pivotal role in its consolidation and perpetuation.

• Liberalism
• 1848
• Constitutionalism
• Nineteenth century
• Biography
• Thorbecke

• All authors: Waardt, M.J. van de
• Supervisor: Velde, H. te
• Co-supervisor: Zanten, J.C. van
• Committee: Aerts, R.A.M.; Berg, J.T.J. van den; Duindam, J.F.J.; Janse, M.J.; Sas, N.C.F. van
• Qualification: Doctor (dr.)
• Awarding Institution: Institute for History, Faculty of Humanities, Leiden University
• Date: 2019-04-03