Geert van der Zwaag

Geert Lourens van der Zwaag (4 May 1858 – 22 April 1923) was a Dutch socialist politician. He served in the House of Representatives from 1897 to 1909 as an independent candidate in the district of Schoterland.

Early life Geert van der Zwaag was born on 4 May 1858 in Wolvega to Lourens Geerts van der Zwaag and Harmentje Josephs Houwman, both of whom died when Geert was very young. He was raised by his stepfather in Gorredijk, who pushed Geert to become a butcher against his wishes.

A liberal in his younger years, Van der Zwaag became a socialist after hearing Ferdinand Domela Nieuwenhuis speak in 1882 and engaging in a debate with him. He founded the local socialist weekly newspaper for Schoterland and Wolvega districts De Klok in 1888, which he would be head editor of until 1913.

Geert van der Zwaag died on 22 April 1923 in Gorredijk.