Lubbert Jan van Eck

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Lubbert Jan baron van Eck
31st
Governor of Zeylan
In office
18 February 1762 – 1 April 1765
Preceded byJan Schreuder
Succeeded byAnthony Mooyart
as acting governor
Personal details
Born26 March 1719
Velp, Gelderland
Died1 April 1765
Colombo

Lubbert Jan baron van Eck (26 March 1719,

Dutch period in Ceylon
.

Van Eck was the son of Samuel van Eck (1691-1760) and Jacoba Wilhelmina Maria Couttis (c.1695-1740). He inherited the title "Baron" and "lord of Overbeek" from his father. He joined the

Paliacatta. In 1758 he was appointed governor of Coromandel, which function he took in practise in April 1759. Finally, he was appointed Governor of Ceylon on 29 May 1761, but only took over the leadership on 18 February 1762.[1]

Van Eck became governor during a war with the

Kirti Sri Rajasinha invaded and conquered a number of cities and provinces with the aid of Dutch rebels. In 1762 Van Eck managed to recapture the cities of Matara and Hanwella from the Kandyans. An effort to put a Siamese prince, who had visited Ceylon and had powerful backers among Kandyans, on the Kandyan throne failed. Peace negotiations in 1763 failed as well. With backing of the VOC, Van Eck led two invasion in the Kingdom, but he died in office while the second invasion was still not completed. Iman Willem Falck, his successor, following the acting governor Anthony Mooyart, finally was victorious and the agreement signed in February 1766 was the start of continued peace between the Dutch and Kandyans until the departure of the first from the island in 1798.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b A Vrugt, Inventary of the archive of Lubbert Jan, Baron van Eck[usurped], Dutch National Archive, 1990. It contains a biography on page 9, and a description of his acts as governor from page to 15
Government offices
Preceded by
Governor of Zeylan

1762-1765
Succeeded by
Anthony Mooyart
as acting governor