Background
He was born in Zaltbommel where he studied Latin and Greek.
theologian university professor author
He was born in Zaltbommel where he studied Latin and Greek.
He became professor of theology at the University of Utrecht. He went on to the Latin school in Utrecht and then to the University of Utrecht where he was a student of Bernardus Schotanus and Gisbertus Voetius. In 1640 he received his doctorate, and was appointed as a minister in the little town of Neerlangbroek.
In 1651 he was appointed as minister in Utrecht and on 8 February 1653 he accepted appointment as professor of theology, with an oration De tractatione verbi Divini.
In the academic year 1673-1674 Essenius was rector magnificus of the University of Utrecht. He was one of the Utrecht Circle.
lieutenant included also the physician Johan Godschalk, Justus van den Bogaart, Theodore à Brakel, Cornelius Gentman, Johannes Hoornbeeck, Jodocus van Lodenstein, Johannes Teellinck, and Abraham van de Velde. Wilhelmus à Brakel and Philipp van Limborch were amongst the students of Essenius.
Essenius died in Utrecht, still in post as professor, in 1677.
They had seven children.