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