Johannes Brons
Dutch politician (1884–1964)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Johannes Cornelis Brons[a] (6 August 1884 – 12 May 1964) was a judge, Governor of Suriname from 1944 until 1948, and President of the High Court of Justice of Suriname.
6 August 1884
Johannes Brons | |
|---|---|
Johannes Brons (1947) | |
| Governor-General of Suriname | |
| In office 26 July 1944[1] – 5 July 1948 | |
| Preceded by | Johannes Kielstra |
| Succeeded by | Willem Huender |
| President of the Colonial Estates | |
| In office 1930[2]–1935[3] | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Johannes Cornelis Brons 6 August 1884 The Hague, Netherlands |
| Died | 12 May 1964 (aged 79) The Hague, Netherlands |
| Occupation | Judge, politician |
Biography
Brons was born on 6 August 1884 in The Hague. He studied law at Leiden University, and received his doctorate in 1909.[3] Between 1909 and 1926, he worked as a lawyer and prosecutor in Rotterdam.[1]
In 1926, Brons went to Suriname, served on the High Court of Justice of Suriname, and became the president of the court in 1929.[3] He served until 1943.[4] In 1930, he was elected to the Colonial Estates, and subsequently became its President.[2] In 1935, he resigned from the Estates.[3]
Brons served as Acting Governor-General of Suriname from 16 August 1935 until 12 April 1936, September 1938 until January 1939, and again on 3 January 1944.[5] On 26 July 1944,[1] he was officially appointed Governor, and served until 5 July 1948.[5]
During his tenure as governor, Brons tried to reform suffrage which was limited to wealthy men. His first attempt was rejected by the Estates of Suriname.[6] His second attempt to award suffrage to all who had finished primary school passed in September 1945.[7] After his tenure, in July 1948, universal suffrage was established in Suriname.[8]
Between 1948 and 1949, Brons worked at the Dutch Embassy in Havana. He died on 12 May 1964 in The Hague, at the age of 79.[4]
Honours and legacy
Brons was commander in the Order of Orange-Nassau, and knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion.[4]
In 1948, a square in Paramaribo which contained the Lanti Djari football field, was renamed Mr. Bronsplein in his honour.[9]
