Cornelis van Aerssen van Sommelsdijck (also: Sommelsdijk) (The Hague

The Hague

The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...

, 20 August 1637 - Paramaribo

Paramaribo

Paramaribo is the capital and largest city of Suriname, located on banks of the Suriname River in the Paramaribo District. Paramaribo has a population of roughly 250,000 people, more than half of Suriname's population...

, 19 July 1688) was the first governor of Suriname

Suriname

Suriname , officially the Republic of Suriname , is a country in northern South America. It borders French Guiana to the east, Guyana to the west, Brazil to the south, and on the north by the Atlantic Ocean. Suriname was a former colony of the British and of the Dutch, and was previously known as...

 after the establishment of the Society of Suriname

Society of Suriname

The Society of Suriname was a Dutch private company, modelled on the ideas of Jean-Baptiste Colbert and set up on 21 May 1683 to profit from the management and defence of the Dutch Republic's colony of Suriname...

 in 1683. He was governor from 28 November 1683 until he was murdered on 19 July 1688. Van Aerssen belonged to one of the richest families of the Dutch Golden Age

Dutch Golden Age

The Golden Age was a period in Dutch history, roughly spanning the 17th century, in which Dutch trade, science, military and art were among the most acclaimed in the world. The first half is characterised by the Eighty Years' War till 1648...

.

Van Aerssen van Sommelsdijck was Lord of Sommelsdijk

Sommelsdijk

Sommelsdijk is a village on the island Goeree-Overflakkee, South Holland, the Netherlands. Together with Nieuwe-Tonge, Middelharnis, and Stad aan 't Haringvliet, it is part of the municipality of Middelharnis. Other places nearby are Melissant, Ouddorp, and Dirksland...

, Plaat

Epen

Epen is a town in the southern part of the Dutch province of Limburg. It is a part of the municipality of Gulpen-Wittem, and lies about 15 km southwest of Kerkrade. The town is known for its timber framed houses and is part of the sightseeing tour the Mergellandroute.In 2005, Epen had 740...

, Bommel

Zaltbommel

Zaltbommel is a municipality and a city in the Netherlands. The town of Zaltbommel was first mentioned as "Bomela" in the year 850. Zaltbommel first received city status in 1231, which status was renewed in 1316....

, and Spijk

Spijk (Lingewaal)

Spijk is a village in the Dutch province of Gelderland. It is a part of the municipality of Lingewaal, and lies about 3 km northeast of Gorinchem.In 2001, the village of Spijk had 413 inhabitants...

. Through his French wife Margaret, he was Marquis

Marquis

Marquis is a French and Scottish title of nobility. The English equivalent is Marquess, while in German, it is Markgraf.It may also refer to:Persons:...

 of Saint André Montbrun

Montbrun-les-Bains

Montbrun-les-Bains is a commune in the Drôme department in southeastern France.The commune is well known for its spa treatments for managing respiratory disease and other medical disorders. The village is also very popular with cyclists, with cycle routes leading to the popular Mont...

 and Ferrassières

Ferrassières

Ferrassières is a commune in the Drôme department in the Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France.-Population:-References:*...

.

He was the fourth generation of a line active in Dutch politics. After a political career in the Netherlands, in 1683 he became tired of Dutch public affairs. Accordingly he acquired a one-third share of the Society of Suriname, the other shareholders being the Dutch West India Company and the city of Amsterdam. At that time Suriname was a very small colony which was torn by religious sectarianism.