Deurhoff Willem

Deurhoff Willem, was born at Amsterdam in 1650. He did not follow any particular course of study, received no regular education, and followed the business of basket- making during his whole life, yet made himself a name by the originality and vigor of his reasoning faculties. He died in 1717. While following his daily vocations, he studied philosophy and theology, yet without any system or method. Among the philosophers he followed more especially Spinoza and Des Cartes, particularly the latter; yet he thought he could improve on Des Cartes's system. The peculiar philosophico-theological system which he thus originated is presented explained in his various writings, which, however, are now become scarce, and contain, besides, many heterodox principles. See Bruckeri Historia Philosophice (tom. 4, pt. 2, Lpz. 1744, p. 291, 704,720); Herzog, Real-Encyklop. 3, 333.