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Portrait of H. G. van de Sande Bakhuyzen

H. G. van de Sande Bakhuyzen

1838 – 1923

Dutch astronomer

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About H. G. van de Sande Bakhuyzen

Lived 1838 – 1923 (aged 84). H. G. van de Sande Bakhuyzen was a Dutch astronomer and university teacher.

Hendricus Gerardus van de Sande Bakhuyzen (April 2, 1838, in The Hague – January 8, 1923, in Leiden) was a Dutch astronomer. His surname, van de Sande Bakhuyzen, is sometimes erroneously given as Backhuyzen or Bakhuysen. His first name is sometimes given as Hendrik Gerard.

He studied astronomy under Frederik Kaiser. After he got his degree, he was a high school teacher from 1864–1867, during which time he wrote a very successful textbook on mechanics. In 1867 he became a professor at the Technical College in Delft.

He became director of the Leiden Observatory in 1872 upon the death of Frederik Kaiser. He retired in 1908. Van de Sande Bakhuyzen became member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1872.

He chose to concentrate on fundamental astronomy rather than on the then-new field of spectroscopy. He worked mainly on the observation of asteroids, but also proved the connection between a meteor shower on November 27 and the comet 3D/Biela. He also worked on geodesy.

He edited and published the Mars drawings of Johann Hieronymus Schröter in 1881, long after the latter's death.

He married Geertruida van Vollenhoven, who died in 1910. They had two daughters and a son, Adriaan, who would be mayor of Leiden from 1927 to 1941.

His brother Ernest-Frederich van de Sande Bakhuyzen was also an astronomer who worked at the Leiden Observatory.

Grave of Hendricus Gerardus van de Sande Bakhuyzen (righthand side) on the Groenesteeg graveyard in Leiden, the Netherlands. Grave number 506

Bakhuysen crater (with an "s") on Mars is named for him.

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Important facts

Birth century
Education
Leiden University
Positions held
Rector magnificus of Leiden University
Employers
Leiden University, Delft University of Technology
Awards
Commander of the Order of the Netherlands Lion; Officer of the Legion of Honour
Also known as
H.G. van de Sande Bakhuysen, H.G. van de Sande Bakhuyzen, Hendricus Gerardus van de Sande Bakhuyzen, Hendrik Gerard van de Sande Bakhuyzen

People in H. G. van de Sande Bakhuyzen's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped H. G. van de Sande Bakhuyzen's

Frequently asked questions

Who was H. G. van de Sande Bakhuyzen?

Dutch astronomer (1838-1923)

When was H. G. van de Sande Bakhuyzen born?

H. G. van de Sande Bakhuyzen was born on 2 April 1838 in The Hague.

When did H. G. van de Sande Bakhuyzen die?

H. G. van de Sande Bakhuyzen died on 8 January 1923 in Leiden.

What was H. G. van de Sande Bakhuyzen's occupation?

H. G. van de Sande Bakhuyzen was an astronomer and university teacher.

What nationality was H. G. van de Sande Bakhuyzen?

H. G. van de Sande Bakhuyzen was Dutch.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: H. G. van de Sande Bakhuyzen

· Wikidata: Q2050930

· DBpedia: H. G. van de Sande Bakhuyzen

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). H. G. van de Sande Bakhuyzen. https://biography.guide/h-g-van-de-sande-bakhuyzen/

MLA: "H. G. van de Sande Bakhuyzen." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/h-g-van-de-sande-bakhuyzen/.

Chicago: "H. G. van de Sande Bakhuyzen." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/h-g-van-de-sande-bakhuyzen/.

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