Jacob Roggeveen

About

Dutch admiral and explorer who discovered Easter Island and its famous stone heads.

Before Fame

He was commissioned by the Dutch West India Company to find Terra Australis, or Australia. Instead, he stumbled upon Easter Island.

Trivia

He only spent one day on Easter Island, but was fascinated to witness the natives worshipping enormous stone statues.

Family Life

He was married to Anna Clement. His father was a noted mathematician and navigator who spent a lifetime trying to find the mythical land of Australia.

Associated With

He never reached Australia--that was the destiny of British explorer Charles Sturt.