Johannes Klencke

Johannes Klencke, van Klenck or Klenckius (bapt. 5 March 1620, Amsterdam - early 1672, Batavia, Dutch East Indies) was a Dutch teacher in philosophy at the Athenaeum Illustre in Amsterdam.

Johannes Klenck was the eldest son of a trader in Russian caviar and studied theology in Leiden. On the 24th of May 1644 he accepted a post on issues concerning morality. There he introduced debating with the students. In 1648 he was appointed professor of philosophy at the illustrious school of Amsterdam. He taught physics, metaphysics, logic, ethics and politics.

In July 1660 Louis of Nassau arrived in London; his countrymen Simon van Hoorn, curator of the Athenaeum, Michiel van Gogh and the Roman Catholic Joachim Ripperda arrived in November to present to Charles II the Dutch Gift, consisting of furniture, a yacht, 24 paintings, and twelve statues to celebrate the Restoration in 1661? The three envoys were assisted by 24 servants and a few clerkswhen they left Den Briel on 29 October 1660.

Klencke, an expert on Grotius, may have accompanied them, to discuss 'unrestricted trade', and the Act of Navigation. On a yet unknown date, and with the help of a few other people, he offered the Klencke Atlas to the King. He was already appointed as a knight on 19 September 1660.

In 1669 the "nutty professor" (according to Vossius) left Amsterdam for Paris and London. In 1672 he died suddenly at Batavia as a notary.

Ernst van Klenck, a merchant on Russia, married in 1660 a daughter of Pieter de Carpentier. In 1661 his brother Herman van Klenck was appointed as a Governor of Formosa, but never set a foot on the island when he noticed Fort Zeelandia was occupied by Coxinga. Coenraad van Klenck, a trader on Russia and member of the Amsterdam vroedschap, was an envoy to Russia in 1675. Their brother-in-law William Davidson of Curriehill invited Mary Stuart into his house in July 1660 and seems to have been a spy for Charles II. In 1660 he was rewarded with an appointment as conservator of the Staple in Veere.