Abraham de Vries (minister)

Abraham de Vries (20 April 1773 in Amsterdam – 3 November 1862 in Haarlem) was a Dutch Mennonite minister, author on literature and member of several societies, mainly literary ones.

In 1795 he was, as a Patriot, appointed as adjunct secretary to the "Committé van Algemeen Welzijn" (Committee of General Welfare) by the Provisional Government with the promise he were to be relieved when a new government would have been elected - but then accepted a permanent position at this Secretariat.

[4] At the same time he developed an interest in literature and law (he was member of the society Concordia et Libertate) - but in 1798 he was fired after a month-long imprisonment (after the 1798 revolution he was accused of being an Orangist)[4] and returned to theology but maintained his interest in literature and literary contacts.

[5] In 1799 he graduated and accepted a post as a Mennonite minister in Wormerveer, Grouw, Franeker and Nijmegen.

In 1811 he co-founded the "Algemeene Doopsgezinde Societeit" (General Mennonite Society) and became a board member.