Rie de Boois

Henderika Maria (Rie) de Boois (Zierikzee, 4 June 1936 – Kerk-Avezaath, 16 November 2010) was a Dutch politician and biologist. She was a member of the house of representatives from 1972 until 1987 for the Labour Party.

Early life and science De Boois was the eldest of 6 children. She studied biology at Utrecht University until 1962. She became a teacher at the Dutch National Institute for Nature Conservation after finishing her degree. She later graduated from the same university with a PhD in 1976, with her thesis titled Schimmelgroei in strooisellagen van enkele bosgronden (English: Grow of fungi in the litterfall of forests).

Political career De Boois was a member of the municipal council of Arnhem from 1966 until 1974. De Boois was mainly involved in environmental matters. She fought for protection of the Wadden Sea, was a proponent of increased Dutch involvement in Antarctic research and advocated for better forest management. In 1976 she tried to abolish the use of driving in the hunt of wild boars. However, she faced resistance from members of the royal family and other people of nobility. The law would not come into effect until 2002. She was named 'Animal Protector of the Year' in 1986 for her work in animal conservation.

Personal life In 1964 De Boois married Karel Nagel, himself a politician for the Labour Party and environmentalist. Their marriage ended in 1973. She later married Pierre Janssen, an art connoisseur. De Boois was a vegetarian.