Ferdinand van Boisschot

Ferdinand van Boisschot or de Boisschot (1570–1649), Baron of Zaventem, was a jurist and diplomat from the Low Countries who became chancellor of the Duchy of Brabant.

Early life Boisschot was born in Brussels on 26 June 1570 as the son of Jan Baptist van Boisschot and Catharina van den Troncke. His father was a member of the Council of Brabant and was killed in the early stages of the Dutch Revolt during disturbances in Brussels in 1577/78. His family took refuge in Cologne, where Ferdinand commenced his studies. He studied law at the University of Cologne and at the University of Leuven and obtained the degree of doctor at law. He then became a member of the magistrature.

Career In 1592, Boisschot was appointed auditor general of the Army of Flanders, a post he held until 1611. From the beginning of 1611 until the end of 1615, he was the diplomatic representative in London of the Sovereign Archdukes Albert and Isabella. In 1615, Philip III of Spain made him a knight in the order of Santiago. He spent a further four years as resident ambassador of the Archdukes in Paris, and was appointed to the Privy Council and the Council of State in Brussels.

Boisschot also acquired from Van Dyck the painting Saint Martin Dividing his Cloak, presumably painted around 1618, which he donated to Saint Martin's Church in Zaventem.