Jan Woltjer (4 February 1849, Groningen – 28 July 1917, Amsterdam) was a professor of Classical languages and literature at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
Woltjer, the son of a baker, started his career as an assistant teacher at a high school in his hometown of Groningen in 1867. He taught himself Latin and managed to enter the University of Groningen in 1871. While teaching classical languages at a local gymnasium, he wrote his dissertation on Lucretius and was promoted in 1877. On 28 September that year he married Marchien Janssonius. In 1881 he moved to Amsterdam to become professor at the Free University, which position he would keep until his death in 1917. In 1902 he became member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences. He was involved in many educational organizations and was a member of the Senate for the Anti Revolutionaire Partij from 1902 to 1917. His oldest son, Robert H. Woltjer, would follow him teaching classical studies at the Free University. His son Jan Woltjer Jr would become a well-known astronomer.
Along his many other students, including Herman Dooyeweerd, Woltjer had a formidable influence on future professor of philosophy, D. H. Th. Vollenhoven, who used his training in Greek and Latin to make first of all a minutely detailed study of the Fragments of the Presocratics. Woltjers subscribed to the idea that Greek learning was an integral part of what the New Testament refers to when it speaks of "the fulness of times." The Greek learned constituted a preparatory education (paideia, cf Werner Jaeger) for the coming of Christ. To some extent, Woltjer's student Vollenhoven seems to have resisted this latter conception, as V came to view the major problem of developing a Christian philosophy to be the heavy tendency of all subsequent Christian thought in Western culture to fall back on a synthesis with Greek-originated presuppositions.
Sol turns thousands of years of human wisdom from the world’s spiritual traditions into a totally unique personality profile. To get your own profile, check compatibility with friends and much more, download the Sol App today.
Some of their strengths
Jan Woltjer has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Intense, Intelligent, Caring, Diplomatic, Curious, Passionate, and Instinctual.
Idealistic and Altruistic
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Jan Woltjer is someone who is an idealist and an altruist who possesses an innovative, intellectual, and analytical mind, and who approaches life in an optimistic and easygoing manner. A person who is known for being fun and creative.
Warm and Caring
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Jan Woltjer well know them as someone who can be warm, caring, and compassionate, like a lamp or torch.
Methodical and Exacting
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Jan Woltjer as someone who is careful, methodical, and a perfectionist.
A person who forms successful business partnerships, who appreciates the variety the world has to offer, who takes a frugal approach to life and tends to be a workaholic, and who engages in things that let them express their opinion.
Charismatic and Instinctual
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Jan Woltjer is someone who handles stress better than most people, and who tends to have a powerful charisma and convictions.
They are also someone who is confident and creative, and who has a love for starting new projects, inventing new things, and giving back to the community.
Altruistic and Innovative
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Jan Woltjer tends to be someone who sacrifices things for the good of others and wants to do "good" in the world. Who is often thought of as an innovator or rebel who thrives when trying to chase a breakthrough of some sort, who has a clear and sound mind, and who can be charming and sociable.
Some of Jan Woltjer's challenges
While Jan Woltjer has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, Jan Woltjer can be Emotional, Rebellious, Emotionally Distant, Standoffish, Hesitant, Narcissistic, and Sensitive.
Rebellious and Emotionally Distant
One of Jan Woltjer's key challenges is that they are someone who can be rebellious and emotionally distant.
Jan Woltjer must also exercise caution as they can be excessive and unrealistic.
Sensitive and Critical
Jan Woltjer is someone who can be insecure, critical, and pessimistic, who can have difficulty relaxing, can be possessive and jealous, and who can have difficulty listening to others' opinions and perspectives and make hasty decisions.
Serious and Callous
Finally, Jan Woltjer also can be too giving, come across as too "high and mighty", and can have a hard time expressing feelings.