De Witt, John. Dutch statesman. Born in 1625 at Dort in Holland. A work, entitled the "Elements of Curved Lines," which he produced at the age of 23, was greatly admired. In 1650, he was chosen pensionary of Dort, and subsequently attained the higher dignity of pensionary of Holland. In 1654, he promoted a perpetual edict for abolishing the office of Stadtholder, and was publicly thanked for his patriotic services. At a later period, Holland being invaded by the French, popular rage was unjustly directed against him, and he, with his brother Cornelius, were assassinated with great cruelty by the populace in 1672.

---