Van Curler or Van Corlaer, Arent

Van Curler or Van Corlaer, Arent (är'unt văn kûr'lur, vän kôr'lär) [key], 1619–67, Dutch colonist in New Netherland. He came (1637) to the colony to assist in the management of Rensselaerswyck, the estate of his cousin Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, and from 1642 to 1644 was administrator. He made friends of the Native Americans and on several occasions successfully mediated between them and the colonists. Purchasing a tract of land on the Mohawk River, Van Curler founded (1662) Schenectady there. He was drowned in Lake Champlain on his way to Canada.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

• • Cite
  • Print
  • Email
  • Bookmark
    • Add bookmark
    • Add to del.icio.us
    • Digg It!
    • Add to Reddit