Prof. Jacobus de Rhoer (1723–1813)

Also professor of Latin, Greek, general history, and Dutch history. Jacobus de Rhoer was the oldest person ever to be appointed librarian in Groningen: he was 75 years old when he took office. The “French Period” in Dutch history was characterized by swift developments in academia leading to an increasing stream of publications. Unfortunately, this was not matched by growing financial means on the part of the library, which caused a severe lack of ability to purchase these publications. Matters worsened when the Netherlands were incorporated into the French Empire and the annual contribution by the Province of Groningen was terminated. Still, Groningen could count itself lucky, because the universities in Franeker and Harderwijk were shut down altogether during this period.