Maurits Cornelis van Hall
Maurits Cornelis van Hall | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1836 Netherlands |
| Died | 1900 |
| Occupation(s) | Attorney, financier, politician |
| Years active | 1858–1900 |
| Known for | Founding shareholder of Nederlandsche Crediet- en Deposito Bank; director and head of Amsterdam branch of Banque de Paris et des Pays-Bas; member of Amsterdam Chamber of Commerce; member of States Provincial of North Holland; Senator |
Maurits Cornelis van Hall (1836–1900) was a prominent Dutch attorney, financier, and politician who played a key role in establishing multiple enterprises.
Early years
Maurits van Hall was born to Anne Maurits Cornelis van Hall (1808-1838), a lawyer, and Helena Suzanna van Schermbeek. His father’s participation in the 1834 schism within the Dutch Reformed Church caused tension with the ruling class and passed away when Maurits was only two and a half years old. Maurits' grandfather, also named Maurits Cornelis van Hall (1768-1858), was distinguished as a lawyer, poet, and statesman.
He pursued studies in civil and Roman law at Utrecht University, completing his degree in 1858. Between 1858 and 1863, he practiced law as an attorney based in Amsterdam.
Leveraging family ties
Maurits benefited from the influence of his uncle, Floris Adriaan van Hall, who held positions as Minister of Justice (1842–1844) and Prime Minister of the Netherlands (1860–1861), shaping Maurits’ professional trajectory.
In April 1863, Maurits participated as a minor shareholder among the founders of the Nederlandsche Crediet- en Deposito Bank located in Amsterdam. Of the initial 28,865 shares valued at 250 guilders each, major holdings were controlled by Louis-Raphaël Bischoffsheim and investors from France. Dutch investors included Samuel Sarphati with 1,000 shares and Abraham Carel Wertheim holding 300. Maurits owned 50 shares; other Dutch shareholders possessed 100 or fewer shares. The bank’s governance rules mandated that directors hold at least 100 shares while supervisory board members needed a minimum of 25 shares.
Samuel Sarphati assumed the role of president-director, Abraham Carel Wertheim became a director, and several smaller Dutch shareholders joined the supervisory board. Although Maurits met the shareholding criteria for directorship, he was initially not appointed but served as secretary supporting the executive board by 1865. That year marked an expansion of the bank’s directorship to include Maurits along with other members from Amsterdam and Paris. This development indicates a deliberate progression from secretary to director. In 1872, after merging with Banque de Paris to form Banque de Paris et des Pays-Bas (later known as Paribas), Maurits was appointed head of its Amsterdam branch until his passing.
Simultaneously, between 1862 and 1866, Maurits advanced quickly through ranks in the Amsterdam militia alongside his banking career.
Samuel Sarphati, instrumental in founding the bank, also established the Amstel Hotel in 1867. Maurits participated on its founding committee in 1866 and acquired two shares though he was not among the principal investors.
Sarphati had earlier founded the Vereniging voor Volksvlijt association in 1852, which led to creating the public company Paleis van Volksvlijt in 1857 to finance construction of the Paleis voor Volksvlijt. Maurits joined this company’s supervisory board in 1867.
That same year saw him join the supervisory board of Nederlandsche Onderlinge Brandwaarborg Maatschappij.
In 1868, Maurits took on the role of treasurer for the non-sectarian Bischoffsheim Association charity but resigned from this post in 1873.
Established wealth
By the decade of the 1870s, Maurits had emerged as an influential business leader frequently serving on boards and supervisory committees across various enterprises.
In December 1870, he purchased 46 out of 800 shares in the 'Maatschappij tot droogmaking en exploitatie der Tienhovense en Maarsseveense Plassen,' securing a position on its executive board.
In 1876, he became a board member of the newly created Vereniging voor de Effectenhandel, an organization dedicated to securities trading.
In March 1880, he co-founded the 'Nederlandsche Verzekering Maatschappij tegen de risico van onderlingen Waarborg,' acquiring 25 out of its total 100 shares alongside three partners; this company was affiliated with Nederlandsche Onderlinge Brandwaarborg Maatschappij.
Earlier on, in 1860, Maurits contributed to establishing the 'Nederlandsche Bell Telephoon Maatschappij,' obtaining 10 out of its 600 shares and joining its supervisory board.
April 1882 saw him investing in Wester Suikerraffinaderij by purchasing 45 out of 800 shares.
By 1887, Maurits had become one of five directors at Haagsche Tramweg Maatschappij.
In 1888, he joined Koninklijke Vereeniging Het Nederlandsch Tooneel, contributing to its initial capital fund of 90,000 guilders aimed at supporting theatrical productions in Amsterdam and The Hague.
After Amsterdam’s Stadsschouwburg burned down in 1890, Maurits took part in founding a company tasked with financing its rebuilding through modest share capital combined with a substantial loan.
In politics
Maurits was affiliated with the Liberal faction and took an active role in both municipal and regional administration. He campaigned for a position in Amsterdam's local government in 1881 and gained a seat on the Amsterdam Chamber of Commerce the following year, holding this post until 1890.
In 1883, he became a member of the States Provincial of North Holland and successfully retained his seat through re-election in 1889.
Following multiple efforts, Maurits obtained a Senate position in February 1896, subsequently securing re-election in 1899.
Personal
Maurits entered into marriage with Debora Cremer Eindhoven (1843–1906) on 2 August 1864; she was the half-sister of writer Mena Elisabeth Cremer Eindhoven (1855–1931).
He passed away on 18 December 1900. His funeral was attended by relatives, acquaintances, and delegates from various organizations he had supported.
Maurits Cornelis Van Hall held the rank of squire in the Order of the Netherlands Lion and, beginning in 1882, also served as a squire in the Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau.
External links
- Mr. M.C. van Hall on parlement.com