FRUIN, Robert Jacobus

(1823–1899)

   Educator and historian. After his study in humanities at Leiden University, Fruin wrote his doctoral thesis on an Egyptian subject. As a supporter of the liberal leader Johan Rudolf Thorbecke, Fruin challenged the antirevolu tionary historical and political views of Guillaume Groen van Prin sterer. In 1860, he became the first chair of Dutch history at Leiden University. In his inaugural address on the impartiality of the histo rian, he unfolded his optimistic program for a critical historical methodology and historiography. For four decades, Fruin was the most influential Dutch historian, and his studies on the Dutch Re public are exemplary. His interest focused on the period of the Revoltand on the constitutional history of the Republic, for example, in The Siege and Relief of Leyden in 1574 (1874). His books on the decade 1588–1598 and the constitution are still in print (Tien jaren uit den Tachtigjarige oorlog, 1861; Geschiedenis der staatsinstellin gen in Nederland tot de val der Republiek, 1901). Fruin’s collected works were published in 10 volumes (Verspreide geschriften, 1900–1905).