(1769–1846)
Politician. Van Maanen became a member of the judiciary in the province of Holland and in 1806 was appointed by King Louis Napoleon as minister of justice, an office he also held during the reign of King William I. He was a proponent of strong leadership. During the debates over the new written constitution in 1814–1815, van Maa nen opposed Gijsbert van Hogendorp, who advocated a form of responsible government. He did not, however, oppose the principles of the rule of law, as can be seen in his role during the lengthy dis cussions on the new codification of law.
Historical Dictionary of the Netherlands. EdwART. 2012.