Hendrik Merkus de Kock

Hendrik Merkus, Baron de Kock (25 May 1779 – 12 April 1845) was a Dutch military officer, colonial administrator and politician who served as lieutenant governor-general of the Dutch East Indies from 1826 to 1830. He also served as Minister of the Interior from 1836 to 1841.

Life Hendrik Merkus de Kock was born on 25 May 1779 in Heusden, Dutch Republic. His father was Jean Conrad de Kock, a banker who was guillotined in Paris, and his mother was Maria Petronella Merkus.

In 1801, he joined the Batavian Navy, and by 1807 was posted to the Dutch East Indies. In 1821 he commanded a military expedition to Palembang to suppress a local uprising. Later, as Lieutenant Governor-General (1826–1830), De Kock led the fight against Prince Diponegoro in the Java War.

The triumphant commander was declared a baron in 1835, and served in the Dutch Government as Minister of the Interior from 1836 to 1841. He was Minister of State from 1841 to 1845. He remained a member of the First Chamber of parliament until his death. He died in The Hague on 12 April 1845.

Honors Knight in the Order of the Union (1807) Commander in the Order of the Union (1808) Commander in the Order of the Reunion (1812) Knight 3rd Class Military William Order (1815) Commander Military William Order (1821) Grand Cross Military William Order (1830) Grand Cross Order of the Netherlands Lion (1841)