BIOGRAPHICAL MEMORANDA 



often the observations had to be extended till deep into the night. The 

 preliminary results of his investigations were reported at the 14th 

 'Netherlands' Congress of Natural Sciences and Medicine', in Delft, 



On May 15, 19 14, Albert Jan Kluyver received the degree of Doctor 

 of Technical Science 'with distinction' on the basis of a sterling disser- 

 tation, 'Biochemical Sugar Determinations', accompanied by no less 

 than 27 propositions. 



It was just in time; on August 1 of that year the Dutch army was 

 mobilized following the beginning of the first world war. Kluyver, too, 

 was inducted into the army as buck private in the 4th Infantry Reg- 

 iment in Leiden. He was fortunate in that his regiment was stationed 

 there during the winter of 191 4, so that he could spend his evenings 

 with family and friends. His military career was not spectacular; he 

 did not get promoted beyond the rank of corporal. But this was a 

 blessing because it meant that, owing to Van Iterson's urgent remon- 

 strances that Kluyver could not be spared at the institute, he could get 

 a discharge in May, 191 5. Thus Kluyver returned to Delft and his 

 assistantship. 



He was now 27 years old, and it became time to think of a future 

 career. Van Iterson realized even then that this young man with his 

 brilliant intellect would be capable of accomplishing great things. He 

 considered it important that before settling down to a position in 

 Holland, Kluyver should acquaint himself with life in the Dutch East 

 Indies, or, more generally, in the tropics. The opportunity offered it- 

 self rather unexpectedly; at the Department of Agriculture, Industry, 

 and Commerce in Buitenzorg a post had been created for a consultant 

 whose duty it would be to promote the native industries. Dr. H.J. 

 Lovink, Director of Agriculture in the above-mentioned Department, 

 consulted Van Iterson, and subsequently interviewed Kluyver for 

 this position. The latter accepted, partly on Van Iterson's advice. 



Meanwhile another and most fortunate change had taken place in 

 Kluyver's life. He had become engaged to Eja van Lutsenburg Maas, 

 candidate for the Chem. E. degree, who was a student at the Labor- 

 atory for Technical Botany. This event undoubtedly influenced 

 Kluyver's decision to accept the consultantship in Buitenzorg; now 

 he knew that he need not feel lonely there. 



On July 29, 1 91 6, Albert Jan Kluyver and Helena Johanna van 



