Background
Middendorp was born about 1537 in Oldenzaal, or perhaps Ootmarsum, as he called himself Otmersensis on the title page of his work De celebrioribus Academiis.
Middendorp was born about 1537 in Oldenzaal, or perhaps Ootmarsum, as he called himself Otmersensis on the title page of his work De celebrioribus Academiis.
He studied the humanities at the Fragerherren gymnasium of Zwolle, philosophy and jurisprudence at Cologne University, where he became doctor of philosophy and both branches of law, and also licentiate of theology. He also taught peripatetic philosophy at the Montanum gymnasium there.
He remained in Westphalia during the troubles in the Archdiocese of Cologne in the time of Archbishop Gebhard Truchsess von Waldburg, and was professor at various foreign academies. Afterwards he returned to Cologne, where he passed the greater part of his life. In 1580 he became dean of Saint Maria ad gradus, Cologne, in 1596 dean of Saint Andreas, and in 1601 canon of the cathedral chapter.
Rector of Cologne University 1580-1581 and 1602-1604, he was appointed vice-chancellor by the coadjutor, Ferdinand of Bavaria, in 1602.
He lies buried in the church of Saint Andreas.