[1] Johan Paul van Limburg Stirum was born on 2 February 1873 in Zwolle in the Netherlands.

He made a rapid career as a diplomat of the Netherlands and was, among others, envoy in China and Sweden.

Due to his knowledge of Asia, the government Cort van der Linden named him in 1916 Gouverneur General of the Dutch East Indies.

He worked for a greater autonomy of the Dutch East Indies and for the economic development of the colony.

He was a strong opponent of the nazi regime and refused to meet Hitler or any member of the NSDAP.