HOUTEN, SAMUEL VAN

(1837–1930)

Politician. Van Houten be came famous for his radical progressive ideas, which he presented as a “young liberal” member of Parliament. He advocated the legal and social emancipation of women, propagated neo-Malthusianism, and fought against child labor. He served from 1894 to 1897 as min ister of the interior. After that, he took a more conservative stance. He was a prolific writer, whose collected parliamentary speeches were published during the years 1903–1915. Van Houten also published his “political letters” (Staatkundige brieven).