List of personalities of the city of Rotterdam

The following list contains people who were born in Rotterdam and those who temporarily lived and worked there, each listed chronologically by year of birth. The list does not claim to be complete.

Personalities born in Rotterdam

Until 1800

• Erasmus of Rotterdam (1465 / 69–1536), scholar of European humanism
• Piet Pieterszoon Heyn (1577–1629), privateer
• Willem Pietersz. Buytewech (1591 / 92–1624), painter, draftsman and etcher
• Abraham de Vries (around 1600 - 1650/62), painter
• Pieter de Bloot (around 1601 - 1658), painter
• Simon de Vlieger (1601–1653), painter
• Herman Saftleven (1609–1685), painter
• Adrian van Walenburch (1609–1669), Roman Catholic clergyman and auxiliary bishop of Cologne
• Isaack Colonia (1611 / 12–1663), painter
• Hendrik Martensz. Sorgh (around 1611-1670 ), painter
• Willem Kalf (1619–1693), painter
• Abraham Diepraem (1622–1670), painter
• Adriaen Hendriksz Verboom (1627–1673), painter and etcher
• Pieter de Hooch (1629–1684), painter
• Cornelis Tromp (1629-1691), naval officer
• Hendrik van Minderhout (1632–1696), marine painter
• Adam Colonia (1634–1685), painter
• Jacob Lucasz Ochtervelt (1634–1682), painter
• Cornelis Beelt (1640–1702), painter
• Michiel van Musscher (around 1643 - 1705), engraver and old master of the Baroque
• Grinling Gibbons (1648–1721), English sculptor
• Hendrick Zwaardecroon (1667–1728), Governor General of the Dutch East Indies
• Bernard Mandeville (1670–1733), doctor and social theorist
• Pieter Hellendaal (1721–1799), composer, organist and violinist
• Adrianus Broekman (1724–1800), Old Catholic Bishop of Haarlem
• Alexander Gillon (1741–1794), politician
• Hendrik Kobell (1751–1779), marine painter, draftsman and etcher
• Gijsbert Karel van Hogendorp (1762-1834), statesman
• Johan Gijsbert Verstolk van Soelen (1776–1845), politician
• Philipp Wilhelm van Heusde (1778–1839), philosopher, historian, philologist, librarian and rhetorician
• Hendrik Tollens (1780–1856), writer
• Hugo van Zuylen van Nijevelt (1781-1853), diplomat and minister
• Dirk Donker Curtius (1792–1864), politician and editor
• Cornelis van der Hoeven (1792–1871), physician and university professor

1801 to 1850

• Jan van der Hoeven (1801–1868), naturalist
• Frederik Willem Krieger (1805–1881), physician and university professor
• Georg Jung (1814–1886), politician
• Jan Nolet de Brauwere van Steeland (1815–1888), Dutch-Flemish poet
• Petrus Matthias Snickers (1816–1895), cleric and Roman Catholic Archbishop of Utrecht
• Johannes Jacobus van Oosterzee (1817–1882), Dutch Reformed theologian
• Cornelis Willem Opzoomer (1821–1892), lawyer, philosopher, literary scholar and logician
• Johannes Baptista Rietstap (1828–1891), heraldist and genealogist
• Jacobus Anthonie Fruin (1829-1884), legal scholar
• Gilles van Overbeek de Meijer (1831-1918), medic
• Mauritz de Haas (1832–1895), Dutch-American marine painter
• Eduard Mulder (1832-1924), chemist
• Jacob Cramer (1833–1895), Dutch Reformed theologian and church historian
• Johan George Gleichman (1834–1906), politician
• Antonie Jacobus Ackermann (1836–1914), pianist, organist, music teacher and composer
• Samuel de Lange (1840–1911), Dutch-German organist, teacher and composer
• John Gerrard Keulemans (1842–1912), painter and illustrator
• Arnold Kerdijk (1846–1905), politician
• Theodoor Verhey (1848–1929), composer

1851 to 1900

• Pieter Harting (1812–1885), physician, geologist, hydrologist and botanist
• Jacobus Henricus van 't Hoff (1852-1911), chemist
• Ambrosius Hubrecht (1853-1915), zoologist
• Willem Nolen (1854–1939), medic
• Albertus Paulus Hermanus Hotz (1855–1930), entrepreneur and photographer
• Hendrik Petrus Berlage (1856–1934), architect
• George Hendrik Breitner (1857–1923), painter
• Johannes Marinus Simon Baljon (1861–1908), Reformed theologian
• Alexander Willem Frederik Idenburg (1861–1935), politician
• Wilhelmine Sandrock (1861–1948), German actress and singer
• Adele Sandrock (1863–1937), German-Dutch actress
• Christian Sandrock (1862–1924), German painter and writer
• Edward José (1865–1930), Belgian actor, director and screenwriter
• Sebald Schwarz (1866–1934), German educator and school reformer
• Ludwig Adrian Sanders (1867–1956), civil engineer and contractor
• Pim Kiderlen (1868–1931), cyclist
• Lodewijk van Mierop (1876–1930), pacifist and anarchist
• Andrew Pitcairn-Knowles (1871–1956), British publisher and photojournalist
• Hugo Frederik Nierstrasz (1872–1937), zoologist
• Johan Reuchlin (1874–1912), entrepreneur and managing director
• Kees van Dongen (1877–1968), French painter
• Joost van Vollenhoven (1877–1918), French officer and colonial administrator
• Johannes Drost (1880–1954), swimmer
• Luitzen Egbertus Jan Brouwer (1881–1966), mathematician
• Jan van Gilse (1881–1944), composer and conductor
• Gustav Steinbömer (1881–1972), German writer, dramaturge, major in the general staff and critic
• Hendrik Willem van Loon (1882–1944), Dutch-American author, historian, journalist, draftsman and book illustrator
• Louis Davids (1883–1939), cabaret artist and revue artist
• Bok de Korver (1883–1957), football player
• Henk Sneevliet (1883–1942), politician, trade union leader, anti-fascist and agent
• Willem Marinus Dudok (1884–1974), architect
• Arnold Hörburger (1886–1966), football player
• Bernard van Dieren (1887–1936), composer and music writer
• Anthony van Hoboken (1887–1983), musicologist and music collector
• Robert van 't Hoff (1887–1979), architect
• Gerard Bunk (1888–1958), German-Dutch organist, pianist, choir director and composer
• Heintje Davids (1888–1975), singer, comedian and actress
• Cas Ruffelse (1888–1958), football player
• Jan van der Sluis (1889–1952), football player
• Johannes van der Corput (1890–1975), mathematician
• Huug de Groot (1890–1957), football player
• Maurits Frank (1892–1959), cellist and music teacher
• Piet van der Wolk (1892–1952), football player
• Marie C. van der Kolf (1894–1956), classical philologist and high school teacher
• Hendrik Anthony Kramers (1894–1952), physicist
• Dirk Struik (1894–2000), mathematician
• Wilhelm Heinrich Carl Tenhaeff (1894–1981), parapsychologist
• Leendert van der Vlugt (1894–1936), architect
• Adriaan Koonings (1895–1963), football player
• Alexander Voormolen (1895–1980), composer
• Willy Schootemeijer (1897–1953), composer
• Johannes Hendrik van den Broek (1898–1978), Dutch architect
• Jan Oosthoek (1898–1973), football player
• Ok Formenoy (1899–1977), football player
• Cornelis Christiaan Berg (1900–1990), philologist and historian
• David van Dantzig (1900–1959), mathematician
• Pieter Adrianus Kooijman (1891–1975), political activist and anarchist

1901 to 1920

• Antonia Brico (1902–1989), American conductor
• Dirk Brouwer (1902–1966), Dutch-American astronomer
• Johannes Brinkman (1902–1949), architect
• Klaas Aldert Hendrik Hidding (1902–1986), Reformed theologian and church historian
• Meindest Niemeijer (1902–1987), chess composer, patron and collector of chess literature
• Anthoon Johan Koejemans (1903–1982), journalist, writer, politician and peace activist
• Puck van Heel (1904–1984), football player
• Willem de Kooning (1904–1997), American painter
• Willy van Zwieteren (1904–1983), football player
• Jaap Barendregt (1905–1952), football player
• George Stam (1905–1995), organist, composer and music teacher
• Simon Jan van Ooststroom (1906–1982), botanist
• Bep van Klaveren (1907-1992), boxer
• Huig Maaskant (1907–1977), architect
• Joost de Blank (1908–1968), Anglican theologian, Archbishop of Cape Town
• Leen Sanders (1908-1992), boxer
• Hilda van Stockum (1908–2006), children's book author, painter and book illustrator
• Dick Elffers (1910–1990), artist
• Marie Braun (1911–1982), swimmer
• Joseph Luns (1911–2002), politician, diplomat, Foreign Minister and NATO Secretary General
• Geert Ruygers (1911–1970), politician and journalist
• Leen Vente (1911-1989), football player
• Dick Willebrandts (1911–1970), jazz and entertainment musician
• Mirin Dajo (1912–1948), artist
• Leo Fuld (1912–1997), Dutch-American singer
• Charles van Rooy (1912–1996), politician
• Cornelis Soeteman (1912-2005), Germanist
• Marten Toonder (1912-2005), comic artist
• Adolf Emile Cohen (1913–2004), historian
• Daan Kagchelland (1914–1998), sailor
• Frits Böttcher (1915–2008), scientist
• Bob de Lange (1916–1978), theater and film actor
• André Donner (1918–1992), legal scholar
• Adriaan Kortlandt (1918–2009), behavioral scientist
• Willy den Ouden (1918–1997), swimmer
• Louis Perridon (1918-2015), economist
• Hendrika Mastenbroek (1919–2003), swimmer
• Cor Kint (1920–2002), swimmer
• Nicolaas Kuiper (1920–1994), mathematician
• Nida Senff (1920–1995), swimmer
• Betje Wery (1920–2006), collaborator and "Jew hunter"

1921 to 1940

• Bram Appel (1921–1997), football player and coach
• Everardus Antonius M. Baaij (1921–2012), former bishop of Aliwal
• Norbert Schmelzer (1921–2008), politician
• George Blake (* 1922), British secret agent
• Jan Everse senior (1922–1974), football player
• Antonius H. Gunneweg (1922–1990), Protestant theologian
• Bernard Huijbers (1922–2003), composer, church musician and priest and Jesuit
• Bill Minco (1922-2006), resistance fighter and local politician
• Toon van Vliet (1922–1975), jazz saxophonist
• Thea Beckman (1923-2004), writer
• Gerda van der Kade-Koudijs (1923–2015), track and field athlete
• Faas Wilkes (1923-2006), football player
• Herman Bianchi (1924–2015), legal scholar, criminologist and mystic
• Jan Emmens (1924–1971), art historian
• Rita Reys (1924-2013), jazz singer
• August Paul Brenninkmeijer (1925–2011), Dutch-German entrepreneur and patron
• Til Gardeniers-Berendsen (1925–2019), Dutch politician
• Henk Mostert (1925–2002), President of the International Correspondence Chess Federation ICCF
• Aad Bak (1926–2009), football player
• Henk Hofland (1927–2016), journalist
• Koos Andriessen (1928–2019), economist, university professor and politician
• Joop Bergsma (1928–2011), Catholic clergyman
• Ludwig Gerstein (1928–1994), mine director and politician
• Piet Steenbergen (1928-2010), football player
• Edsger W. Dijkstra (1930-2002), computer scientist
• Isaac Lipschits (1930–2008), historian, political scientist and Holocaust survivor
• Tjerk Westerterp (* 1930), politician
• Janwillem van de Wetering (1931–2008), writer
• Hans Boskamp (1932–2011), soccer player and actor
• Bram van Erkel (* 1932), television director
• Piet Noordijk (1932-2011), alto saxophonist
• Henk Schouten (1932–2018), football player
• Elly Ameling (* 1933), soprano
• Gerard Endenburg (* 1933), entrepreneur and author
• Hans van der Hoek (1933-2017), football player
• Jan Kruis (1933–2017), cartoonist and writer
• Ger van Roon (1933–2014), historian
• Klaas Gubbels (* 1934), painter, photographer and sculptor
• Peter van Walsum (1934–2019), diplomat
• Jan van Vlijmen (1935–2004), composer
• Tinus Bosselaar (1936-2018), football player
• Karel Eykman (* 1936), youth writer and screenwriter
• Daan van Golden (1936–2017), painter and graphic artist
• Koos Serierse (1936–2017), jazz musician
• Robert Wolders (1936–2018), actor
• Coen Moulijn (1937-2011), football player
• Jan van Bemmel (* 1938), pioneer of medical informatics
• Bart Berman (* 1938), Dutch-Israeli pianist
• Greetje Kauffeld (* 1939), pop and jazz singer
• Martin Lodewijk (* 1939), comic and advertising artist and comic author
• Ruud Lubbers (1939–2018), politician and economist
• Cor Veldhoen (1939-2005), football player
• Theo Kars (1940–2015), writer, essayist and translator
• André van Middelkoop (* 1940), racing cyclist

1941 to 1950

• Rob Franken (1941–1983), jazz pianist, keyboardist and organist
• Thijs Libregts (* 1941), football player and coach
• Grit van Hoog (* 1941), Dutch jazz and pop singer
• Neelie Kroes (* 1941), politician, EU commissioner
• Karel van Wolferen (* 1941), journalist, publicist and university professor
• Leo Beenhakker (* 1942), football coach
• Rob Baan (* 1943), football coach
• Pim Doesburg (* 1943), football player
• Matthijs van den Adel (* 1944), bank manager
• Rem Koolhaas (* 1944), architect
• Ivo Opstelten (* 1944), politician
• Pieter Feith (* 1945), diplomat
• Betty Stöve (* 1945), tennis player
• Hanny Alders (1946–2010), writer and bestselling author
• Martin van Creveld (* 1946), Israeli military historian and theorist
• Evert Dolman (1946–1993), racing cyclist
• Kees A. Schouhamer Immink (* 1946), engineer and co-inventor of the compact disc, DVD and Blu-ray disc
• Wim Jansen (* 1946), football player
• Eddy Ouwens (* 1946), producer and songwriter
• Kick van der Vall (* 1946), football player
• Marinus van Aalst (* 1947), sculptor, object and installation artist
• André van Duin (* 1947), comedian, actor and singer
• Robert Holl (* 1947), opera, concert and lieder singer, composer and singing teacher
• Jaap ter Linden (* 1947), cellist, gambist and conductor
• Johan Boskamp (* 1948), football player and coach
• Walter Crommelin (* 1948), actor
• Karin Adelmund (1949–2005), politician
• Rudolf van den Berg (* 1949), director and screenwriter
• Jacques van Oortmerssen (1950–2015), pianist, organist, conductor and composer

1951 to 1960

• Jos van der Kooy (* 1951), organist
• Frans Lanting (* 1951), Dutch-American nature photographer
• Albertine van Vliet-Kuiper (* 1951), politician
• Monica Barendrecht (* 1953), German translator
• Jan Everse junior (* 1954), soccer player and coach
• Bennie Wijnstekers (* 1955), soccer player
• Louis Bontes (* 1956), politician and police officer
• Pim Verbeek (1956-2019), football coach
• David Hart (* 1957), entrepreneur and racing car driver
• Peter Houtman (born 1957), football player
• Paul van Kemenade (* 1957), saxophonist and band leader
• Jan Roelfs (* 1957), production designer
• Jules Bijl (* 1958), politician and diplomat
• Joop Hiele (* 1958), soccer goalkeeper
• Jeroen de Valk (* 1958), music journalist and jazz author
• Caroline Bos (* 1959), art historian and architect
• Michiel Schapers (* 1959), tennis player
• Sjaak Troost (* 1959), football player
• Hans van Baalen (* 1960), politician
• Hans Neleman (* 1960), painter, photographer, commercial artist and director
• Diederik Wissels (* 1960), jazz pianist

1961 to 1970

• Marja van Bijsterveldt (* 1961), politician
• Henk van Stee (* 1961), soccer player and coach
• Marcel de Graaff (* 1962), politician
• Paul de Leeuw (* 1962), presenter, comedian, actor and singer
• Mario Been (* 1963), soccer player and coach
• Kiki Classen (* 1964), actress and television presenter
• Frenkie Schinkels (* 1963), Dutch-Austrian football player and coach
• Sonny Silooy (born 1963), football player
• Tony Overwater (* 1964), bassist and composer
• Susan Visser (born 1965), actress
• Stephan Doering (* 1966), German psychoanalyst, doctor and university professor
• René van Eck (* 1966), soccer player and coach
• Niclas Kindvall (* 1967), Swedish football player
• Andro Knel (1967–1989), football player
• Mark Koevermans (* 1968), tennis player
• Ed Warby (born 1968), drummer
• Winston Bogarde (born 1970), football player
• Kathalijne Buitenweg (* 1970), politician
• Maxine (* 1970), singer

1971 to 1980

• Peter van den Berg (* 1971), football player
• Jeroen van Dijk (* 1971), badminton player
• Sanneke van Hassel (* 1971), writer
• Richard Krajicek (* 1971), tennis player
• DJ Misjah (* 1971), DJ, producer and label owner
• Line Kruse (* around 1972), Danish violinist
• Frode Andresen (* 1973), Norwegian biathlete and cross-country skier
• Kristie Boogert (* 1973), tennis player
• Ferry Corsten (* 1973), trance DJ and producer
• Misja Helsloot (* 1973), trance DJ and music producer
• Semmy Schilt (* 1973), mixed martial arts fighter
• Iepe Rubingh (* 1974), action artist and inventor of the martial art of chess boxing
• Giovanni van Bronckhorst (* 1975), football player
• Delano Hill (born 1975), football player
• Dave de Jong (* 1975), football player
• Lilly Becker (* 1976), model
• Francisco Elson (born 1976), basketball player
• Rembrandt Frerichs (* 1977), jazz musician
• Margriet Matthijsse (* 1977), sailor
• Melvin Moti (* 1977), photographer and video artist
• Ellery Cairo (born 1978), football player
• Kew Jaliens (born 1978), football player
• Fatima Moreira de Melo (* 1978), hockey and poker player
• Robin Nelisse (* 1978), soccer player
• Raemon Sluiter (born 1978), tennis player
• Orlando Engelaar (born 1979), football player
• Pascal Bosschaart (* 1980), football player

1981 to 1990

• Robert Doornbos (* 1981), racing car driver
• Martin de Jonge (* 1981), badminton player
• Saïd Boutahar (* 1982), football player
• Annemieke van Dam (* 1982), musical actress
• David Mendes (* 1982), football player
• Robin van Persie (* 1983), football player
• Rachid Bouaouzan (* 1984), Dutch-Moroccan football player
• Marciano Bruma (* 1984), football player
• Mounir El Hamdaoui (* 1984), Moroccan-Dutch football player
• Leendert van Steensel (* 1984), football player
• Herbert Cool (* 1985), biathlete
• Jesper Hogedoorn (* 1985), football player
• Guy Ramos (* 1985), Cape Verdean football player
• Kevin Sluimer (* 1985), racing cyclist
• Jeanine van Dalen (* 1986), soccer player
• Vicky Maeijer (* 1986), politician
• Gianni Zuiverloon (* 1986), football player
• Luigi Bruins (* 1987), football player
• Royston Drenthe (* 1987), football player
• Lucien van Geffen (* 1987), actor
• Marvin Emnes (* 1988), football player
• Michiel Kramer (* 1988), soccer player
• Wendy Vuik (* 1988), ski jumper
• Chantal Blaak (* 1989), racing cyclist
• Romario Kortzorg (* 1989), football player
• Gregory Schaken (* 1989), soccer player
• Diego Hofland (* 1990), Dutch-German ice hockey player
• Georginio Wijnaldum (* 1990), football player

From 1991

• Jeffrey Bruma (born 1991), football player
• Gaite Jansen (* 1991), actress
• Nigel Melker (* 1991), racing car driver
• Daniël de Jong (* 1992), racing car driver
• Luciano Slagveer (* 1993), football player
• Terence Kongolo (* 1994), football player
• Jetro Willems (* 1994), football player
• Jean-Paul Boëtius (* 1994), football player
• Oliver Heldens (* 1995), DJ and producer
• Justin Bijlow (born 1998), football player
• Bo Bendsneyder (* 1999), motorcycle racer
• Maikel Zijlaard (* 1999), racing cyclist

Famous people associated with Rotterdam

• Daniel Joncktys (1600–1654), poet and physician, was a lay judge in Rotterdam
• François Verwilt (1623–1691), painter
• Joannes van Heumen (? –1673), theologian and clergyman
• Johann Jacob Zimmermann (1644–1693), German pietistic astronomer and mathematician
• Adriaen van der Werff (1659–1722), painter
• Gerard Marius Kam (1836–1922), entrepreneur and local politician in Rotterdam
• Jacobus Johannes Pieter Oud (1890–1963), architect, 1918–1933 city architect in Rotterdam
• Henri Willem Hoesen (1885–1970), Dutch doctor
• Willem Arondeus (1894–1943), painter, writer and resistance fighter against German National Socialism
• Ad Dekkers (1938–1974), sculptor and relief artist
• Ma Jiangbao (1941–2016), Tai Chi master and representative of the Jianquan Taijiquan Association
• Uri Rosenthal (* 1945), political scientist and politician
• Rudy Koopmans (* 1948), boxer
• Marcel Möring (* 1957), writer
• Oscar van Dillen (* 1958), composer
• Jacob de Haan (* 1959), composer and musician
• Meschac Gaba (* 1961), artist
• Paul van den Hout (* 1963), sculptor, painter and installation artist
• Lidwien van de Ven (* 1963), photographer and video artist
• Peng Zhaoqin (* 1968), Chinese-Dutch chess player
• Elbert Dijkgraaf (* 1970), economist and politician
• Hayo Boerema (* 1972), organist
• Evil Activities (* 1979), hardcore techno producer and disc jockey