Martinus Herculanus Bloncq
 | This article is a rough translation from Dutch. It may have been generated by a computer or by a translator without dual proficiency. |
Martinus Herculanus Bloncq (Oud-Reeuwijk, November 24, 1578 - November 5, 1659), was a Dutch physician and mayor.
Martinus Herculanus Bloncq | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 24, 1578 Oud-Reeuwijk |
| Died | November 5, 1659 Gouda, South Holland |
| Profession | Physician, Mayor |
Life and Work
Bloncq was born in 1578 in Oud-Reeuwijk. According to his epitaph, he was born in Huize Poelgeest. He studied medicine, probably in Italy. His epitaph suggests that he obtained his doctorate in 1608 from the medical school of Siena.[1] On December 9, 1612, he married Aryaentgen Aertsdochter de Jonge (also known as Adriana Arnoldi de Jonge). In 1616, he was appointed as the city physician of Gouda, succeeding Joost Balbian, who died that year. Bloncq would fulfill this position for over forty years until his death in 1659 when he was succeeded by two new physicians.
Bloncq was not only a physician but also held various administrative positions in Gouda. From 1619 onwards, he was a member of the Gouda vroedschap (city council). He served as a churchwarden, librarian, alderman, and mayor of Gouda. Bloncq advocated for the establishment of a city pharmacy, and four years before his death, his wish came true when his assistant, the Gouda pharmacist and notary Dirck Vlack, received permission from the city government to open one.[2] As a librarian, Bloncq was responsible for overseeing the city's book collection. During the thirty years he held this position, he also contributed to the expansion of the book collection through personal donations.[3]. In the years 1642, 1643, 1647, and 1648, Bloncq served as mayor of Gouda. He wrote epitaphs, which he created for himself, his family members, friends, and patients. In 1941, some of the epitaphs he made were published in the Dutch Journal of Medicine (Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde).[4].
During his lifetime, an epitaph was created for Bloncq and his deceased wife, which is located on the northern wall of the choir of the Gouda Sint-Janskerk beneath the stained glass depicting the birth of John. In the center of the epitaph, a female figure is depicted holding a book in her right hand and resting her left hand on a sheep. The names of Bloncq and his wife, along with their motto "Lijd en Mijd" (Endure and Avoid), are inscribed on a scroll. Bloncq passed away in November 1659 at the age of 80 in his hometown of Gouda. He was buried in the St. John's Church there.
References
Bronnen Bik, J.G.W.F. Vijf eeuwen medisch leven in een Hollandse stad, Assen, 1955 Dolder-de Wit, Henny van, Het epitaaf van doctor M.H. Bloncq in "De Sint-Janskerk in Gouda, blz. 11 t/m 113, Delft, 2013 Dolder-de Wit, Henny van, Stadsdoctor Martinus Herculanus Bloncq, De Schatkamer, jaargang 23, 2009 Zuiderhoudt-Hulst, W.A. Geschiedenis van de Goudse Librije gedurende het verblijf in de St.-Janskerk. Noten
Bik 1955:213 en Van Dolder-de Wit 2009:16 Van Dolder-de Wit 2009:12 Zuiderhoudt-Hulst 1976:39 en 56 Gils, J.B.F. van De grafschriften van dr. Martinus Herculanus Blonck in het "Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde", jaargang 85, blz. 3934 t/m 3936
This article "Martinus Herculanus Bloncq" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Martinus Herculanus Bloncq. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
