Grachtengordel in Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe

Réné Descartes

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, March 15, 2019

1. Réné Descartes Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

French text:

Dans cette maison habita pendant l'été de l'année 1634 le célèbre philosophe francaise Réné Descartes

À sa glorieuse mémoire cette plaque a été consacrée par l'alliance française de pays bas le 16 octobre 1920

"Quel autre pays où l'on puisse jouir d'une liberté si entiére
(Lettre de Descartes à Balzac, 1631)

Dutch text:

In dit huis woonde gedurende den zomer 1634 de beroemde fransche philosoof Réné Descartes

Ter eere van zijn roemruchtige nagedachtenis is deze steen geplaatst door de alliance française in nederland op 16 octobre 1920

(English translation:)

During the summer of 1634 the famous French philosopher Réné Descartes lived in this house.

This plaque is dedicated to the glory of his memory by the Alliance Française of the Netherlands on October 16, 1920.

"And in what other country can one enjoy so much freedom..."
(Letter from Descartes to Balzac, 1631)

Erected 1920 by l'Alliance Française

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de Pays Bas.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Arts, Letters, Music. A significant historical year for this entry is 1634.

Location. 52° 22.492′ N, 4° 53.067′ E. Marker is in Amsterdam, Noord-Holland (North Holland). It is in Grachtengordel. Marker is on Westermarkt just west of Keizersgracht. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Westermarkt 6, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland 1016 GW, Netherlands. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Anne Frank Memorial (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Nico (Niek) Engelschman 1913-1988 (about 90 meters away); Tjitte Jonker and Jannetta Cornelia Jonker-Clauzer (about 150 meters away); Drie Generaties Blaeu / Three Generations of Blaeu (about 210 meters away); Voor de Vrijheid Gevallen / They Fell For Freedom (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Comenius (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Bier was hier / Beer was here (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Miklós Tótfalusi Kis (approx. 0.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Amsterdam.

Also see . . . René Descartes (Wikipedia). "René Descartes (31 March 1596 – 11 February 1650) was a French philosopher, mathematician, and scientist. A native of the Kingdom of France, he spent about 20 years (1629–1649) of his life in the Dutch Republic

Réné Descartes Marker - wide view image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, March 15, 2019

2. Réné Descartes Marker - wide view

after serving for a while in the Dutch States Army of Maurice of Nassau, Prince of Orange and the Stadtholder of the United Provinces. He is generally considered one of the most notable intellectual figures of the Dutch Golden Age.... Descartes' Meditations on First Philosophy (1641) continues to be a standard text at most university philosophy departments. Descartes' influence in mathematics is equally apparent; the Cartesian coordinate system was named after him. He is credited as the father of analytical geometry, the bridge between algebra and geometry, used in the discovery of infinitesimal calculus and analysis. Descartes was also one of the key figures in the Scientific Revolution." (Submitted on March 25, 2019.)

Credits. This page was last revised on December 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 25, 2019, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 300 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 25, 2019, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.