Willem Kieft

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For the Dutch footballer named Willem (Wim) Kieft, see Wim Kieft

New Netherland series Colonies: New Amsterdam New Haarlem Noortwyck Beverwyck Wiltwyck Vlissingen Middelburgh Heemstede Rustdorp Gravesende Breuckelen New Amersfoort Midwout New Utrecht Boswyck Swaanendael New Amstel Altena Fortresses: Fort Amsterdam Fort Nassau (North) Fort Orange Fort Nassau (South) Fort Goede Hoop Fort Casimir Fort Altena Fort Wilhelmus Fort Beversreede Fort Nya Korsholm The Patroon System Rensselaerwyck Colen Donck (Yonkers, New York) Directors-General of New Netherland: Cornelius Jacobsen Mey (1620-1625) Willem Verhulst (1625-26) Peter Minuit (1626-33) Wouter van Twiller (1633-38) Willem Kieft (1638-47) Peter Stuyvesant (1647-64) Influential people Adriaen van der Donck Kiliaen van Rensselaer Brant van Slichtenhorst Cornelis van Tienhoven

Willem Kieft (1597-1647) was a Dutch merchant and director-general of New Netherland (of which New Amsterdam, later New York City, was the primary settlement), from 1638 until 1647. He formed the council of twelve men, the first representative body in New Netherland, but ignored its advice, beginning what would become known as Kieft's War with the Native Americans. Kieft was lost at sea on his way back to the Netherlands.

Preceded by Wouter van Twiller

Director-General of New Netherland 1638—1647

Succeeded by Peter Stuyvesant