Background
He was born at Metz, France. His father was from Ghent, but had gone into exile in Lorraine where he was a Protestant pastor.
theologian university professor
He was born at Metz, France. His father was from Ghent, but had gone into exile in Lorraine where he was a Protestant pastor.
He studied at Heidelberg under Franciscus Junius, graduating Master of Arts
The family then moved to Heidelberg. in 1589. And then for a doctorate in Geneva in 1590, under Theodore Beza. He became French preacher at Dordrecht in 1591, and later succeeded Franz Gomarus as professor of theology at the University of Leiden, where he taught from 1611.
Polyander was considered a conciliatory figure, in the aftermath of the affairs at Leiden of Jacobus Arminius and Conrad Vorstius.
His epitaph is displayed in the Pieterskerk, Leiden.
