Bram Rutgers

Abraham Arnold Lodewijk "Bram" Rutgers (24 July 1884 – 26 September 1966) was a Dutch botanist and politician who served as Governor-General of Suriname from 1928 until 1933, the Council of State from 1936 until 1959, and served as its Vice-President from 1956 onwards. He was a member of the Anti-Revolutionary Party (ARP).

Biography Rutgers was born on 24 July 1884 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. He wanted to study mathematics and physics, however his family belonged to the Christian Reformed Church which implied that he had to go to the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam which did not teach physics, therefore, he also enlisted at the secular University of Amsterdam. In 1910, he obtained his doctorate in botany at Utrecht University.

After graduating, Rutgers left for Dutch East Indies (nowadays: Indonesia) to work for the Department of Agriculture. On 14 November 1910, he married the daughter of Alexander Idenburg who was the Gouvernor of the Dutch East Indies. The Great Depression also caused an economic crisis in Suriname, and was arrested on route. On 7 February, a large crowd gathered on Oranjeplein demanding de Kom's release. When the crowd refused to leave, the police opened fire, killing two people and wounding 22. On 10 May, de Kom was exiled to the Netherlands without trial.

In March 1933, Rutgers decided to run for the House of Representatives in the Netherlands. He was elected, On 6 July 1933, Algemeen Handelsblad complimented Rutgers on lowering the deficit in Suriname despite an economic depression and less income. He served in parliament until 21 January 1936. In January 1941, Rutgers was interned at Kamp Schoorl, a political prisoner and transit camp. Rutgers was released in December 1942.

Later life Between 7 May 1945 and 15 September 1945, Rutgers was acting Queen's commissioner for the province of South Holland. Between 1950 and 1953, Rutgers was a member of the Van Schaik Commission which was tasked to make a general review of the Constitution of the Netherlands. On 16 May 1956, he was appointed Vice-President of the Council of State. He retired on 1 August 1959.

Honours Commander in the Order of Orange Nassau. Grand Cross in the Order of the Oak Crown. Grand Cross in the Order of the Crown.