Simon van der Stel

About

Best recognized as being the first Governor of the Dutch Cape Colony, the settlement at the Cape of Good Hope. He is considered one of the founders of South African viticulture.

Before Fame

At the age of 12, he was sent on to Batavia, capital of the Dutch East Indies, where he remained until he was 20 years old after his mother died.  

Trivia

He was interested in botany, establishing vineyards Groot and Klein Constantia, and producing a famous dessert wine. 

Family Life

He is the son of Adriaan van der Stel and Maria Lievens. He was married to Johanna Jacoba Six. They had a son named Willem Adriaan van der Stel. Van der Stel and his wife did not enjoy a very good relationship, and her sister Cornelia accompanied her husband to the Cape. Van der Stel eventually never saw his wife again, though he remained devoted to her and frequently sent her money.

Associated With

Jean-Jacques Rousseau has referred to him by name in a story about a Hottentot in his Discourse on Inequality.