Background
Hendrik Merkus de Kock was born on 25 May 1779 in Heusden in the Republic of the United Netherlands. His father was Johannes Conradus de Kock, a banker, and his mother was Maria Petronella Merkus.
Hendrik Merkus de Kock was born on 25 May 1779 in Heusden in the Republic of the United Netherlands. His father was Johannes Conradus de Kock, a banker, and his mother was Maria Petronella Merkus.
In 1801, he joined the Batavian navy, and by 1807 was posted to the Dutch East Indies. In 1821 he commanded a military expedition to Palembang to suppress a local uprising. Later, as Lieutenant Governor-General (1826–1830), De Kock led the fight against Prince Diponegoro in the Java War.
The triumphant commander was declared a baron in 1835, and served in the Dutch government as Minister of the Interior from 1836 to 1841.
He was Minister of State from 1841 to 1845. He died in The Hague on 12 April 1845.
He remained a member of the First Chamber of parliament until his death.