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Huib Drion

1917 – 2004

Dutch judge

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About Huib Drion

Lived 1917 – 2004 (aged 86). Huib Drion was a Dutch jurist, writer, essayist, judge, university teacher and resistance fighter, known for Drion's pill.

Huib Drion (The Hague, 25 April 1917 – Leiden, 20 April 2004) was a Dutch Supreme Court judge and professor of civil law who became famous for proposing a suicide pill, which was later called Drion's pill after him.

Drion wrote that elderly people who were incurably sick should be able to visit their doctor and receive medication to end their lives. Known in the media as the "Last Wish Pill" or "Drion Pill," the doctor-prescribed drug would be available free of charge to people over the age of 70. Drion also suggested that patients receive a combination of two pills to be ingested in one- or two-day intervals so the patient would have enough time to change his or her mind.

In 1974 he was elected a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Publications Limitation of Liability in International Air Law (1954) Het conservatieve hart en andere essays (1996) Denken zonder diploma (1986) Het zelfgewilde einde van oudere mensen (1991) Van, over en met Huib Drion (1917–2004) (2005)

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Important facts

Birth century
Known for
Drion's pill
Positions held
Cleveringa chair
Employers
Leiden University
Awards
Busken Huet award; Essayprijs van de gemeente Amsterdam
Also known as
H. Drion

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Huib Drion's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Huib Drion?

Dutch judge (1917–2004)

When was Huib Drion born?

Huib Drion was born on 25 April 1917 in The Hague.

When did Huib Drion die?

Huib Drion died on 20 April 2004 in Leiden.

What was Huib Drion's occupation?

Huib Drion was a jurist, writer, essayist, judge, university teacher and resistance fighter.

What was Huib Drion known for?

Huib Drion was known for Drion's pill.

What nationality was Huib Drion?

Huib Drion was Dutch.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Huib Drion

· Wikidata: Q2691144

· DBpedia: Huib Drion

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Huib Drion. https://biography.guide/huib-drion/

MLA: "Huib Drion." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/huib-drion/.

Chicago: "Huib Drion." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/huib-drion/.

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