Jan Woltjer (1849–1917) was a Dutch classical scholar, educator, philosopher, and professor who was involved at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) from 1881 until his death.
He was born on 4 February 1849, in Groningen, Netherlands. He began studies at the University of Groningen in 1871 and earned his doctorate in 1877 with a dissertation on the Roman poet Lucretius. Also in 1877, he married Marchien Janssonius.
In 1881 he was appointed professor of classical languages and literature at the newly established VU. There he taught Latin, Greek, pedagogy, and philosophy. He served as rector magnificus five times and was the doctoral supervisor of D. H. Th. Vollenhoven.
Woltjer co-founded and led the Gereformeerd Gymnasium in Amsterdam, serving as its rector and board chairman. He also chaired a state commission on educational reform. He was elected to the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1902. And from 1902 to 1917, he represented the Anti-Revolutionary Party (ARP) in the Dutch Senate, focusing on education policy.
He died on 27 July 1917, in Amsterdam.
By Woltjer
1881. Oratio: De Sunni Philologi Inagine Chique Philologiar Studioso Spectanda. Groningae Apud J. B. Wolters.
1905. De eerste Vijfentwintig jaren der Vrije Universiteit. Leiden: Donner
1931. Verzamelde redevoeringen en verhandelingen. N.V . Dagblad en Drukkerij De Standaard,
Amsterdam 1931
On Woltjer
Nijhoff, R. A. 2014. De logosfilosofie van Jan Woltjer (1849-1917): Logos en wijsbegeerte aan de vroege Vrije Universiteit. [, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam]. (abstract)
Nijhoff, R. A. 2019. The World as Whodunit: Jan Woltjer and His Logo-Centric Philosophy in the Early Years of the Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Calvin Theological Journal 54 (2) (2019): 353-382
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