Gerard Bacot

Gerard Jacob George Bacot (8 March 1743 – 14 March 1822) was a Dutch politician, poet and judge.

Early life Bacot was born in Doornik, he was the son of Daniel Schaffer Bacot and Anna Aurelia van der Uijl. Bacot studied at the University of Groningen, where he earned a doctorate in philosophy in 1768 and later in law in 1797.

Exile Bacot was an active Patriot. Under the pseudonym Justus Volkshart, he authored an open letter. He was suspected of drafting a petition criticizing the princely court and was among candidates considered for negotiating an alliance with France. He was considered a federalist. After the coup d'état of 22 January 1798, he swore the oath against federalism, but nevertheless did not join the Constituent Assembly, which replaced the National Assembly.

After leaving the Assembly, he returned to Groningen where he became judge again. He was briefly fired in April 1798 by the Uitvoerend Bewind, but was reinstated when a moderate Uitvoerend Bewind came to power. Later that year, he elected member of the Representative Body, which replaced the Constituent Assembly.

After the Incorporation of the Netherlands by France, Bacot was appointed member of the Imperial Court of Justice in The Hague. After the Netherlands became independent again in 1813, he was appointed in the Supreme Court of the Netherlands. He remained judge until his death in 1822.

Personal life Bacot married Abelina Johanna Entrup in 1771 and divorced her in 1776. Bacot had no children. He was part of the Dutch Reformed Church.

His literary works, including poems and philosophical essays, were collected and published in in 1811.