Johan van Maarseveen


Johannes Henricus "Johan" van Maarseveen was a Dutch politician of the defunct Roman Catholic State Party and later the Catholic People's Party now merged into the Christian Democratic Appeal party and jurist.

Early years

Van Maarseveen applied at the Utrecht University in June 1914 majoring in Law and obtaining an Bachelor of Laws degree in July 1916 before graduating with an Master of Laws degree in July 1920.

Career

Van Maarseveen worked as a lawyer and prosecutor in Utrecht from August 1920 until September 1937. Van Maarseveen served on the Municipal Council of Utrecht from May 1929 until September 1937 and served as an Alderman in Utrecht from September 1935 until March 1937. Van Maarseveen became a Member of the House of Representatives following the appointment of Carel Goseling as Minister of Justice in the Cabinet Colijn IV, taking office on 21 September 1937. On 10 May 1940 Nazi Germany invaded the Netherlands and the government fled to London to escape the German occupation. During World War II Van Maarseveen continued to serve as a Member of the House of Representatives but in reality the de facto political influence of the House of Representatives was marginalized. Following the end of World War II Queen Wilhelmina ordered a Recall of Parliament and Van Maarseveen remained a Member of the House of Representatives, taking office on 20 November 1945. On 22 December 1945 the Roman Catholic State Party was renamed as the Catholic People's Party.
After the election of 1946 Van Maarseveen was appointed as Minister of Justice in the Cabinet Beel I, taking office on 3 July 1946. After the election of 1948 Van Maarseveen returned as a Member of the House of Representatives, taking office on 27 July 1948. Following the cabinet formation of 1948 Van Maarseveen was appointed as Minister of the Interior in the Cabinet Drees–Van Schaik, taking office on 7 August 1948. Van Maarseveen was appointed as Minister of Colonial Affairs following the resignation Maan Sassen, taking office on 14 February 1949. Van Maarseveen served as acting Minister of Justice from 15 May 1950 until 10 July 1950 following the resignation of René Wijers. The Cabinet Drees–Van Schaik fell on 24 January 1951 and continued to serve in a demissionary capacity until the cabinet formation of 1951 when it was replaced by Cabinet Drees I with Van Maarseveen appointed again as Minister of the Interior, taking office on 15 March 1951.

Death

On 18 November 1951 Van Maarseveen died after suffering a fatal heart Attack at his home in Utrecht.

Decorations