# Reinder van de Riet

> Dutch computer scientist (1939-2008)

**Wikidata**: [Q18393951](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q18393951)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reinder_van_de_Riet)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/reinder-van-de-riet

## Summary
Reinder van de Riet (1939–2008) was a distinguished Dutch computer scientist and mathematician who served as a professor at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. He is best known for his extensive academic leadership and for mentoring a generation of influential Dutch computer scientists who shaped fields ranging from database systems to artificial intelligence.

## Biography
- **Born:** April 22, 1939, in Groningen, Netherlands
- **Nationality:** Kingdom of the Netherlands
- **Education:** University of Amsterdam
- **Known for:** Academic mentorship and foundational contributions to Dutch computer science
- **Employer(s):** Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
- **Field(s):** Computer science, mathematics

## Contributions
Reinder van de Riet’s primary contribution to the field of computer science was his role as a prolific educator and researcher at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. Under the doctoral advisement of Adriaan van Wijngaarden, a pioneer of Dutch computing, van de Riet established himself as a central figure in the Netherlands' academic landscape. 

His most concrete impact is seen through the success of his doctoral students, many of whom became leaders in their respective fields. He supervised the Ph.D. research of Martin L. Kersten (1953–2022), a key figure in database development; Frances Brazier (born 1957), a professor of multi-actor systems; and Roel Wieringa (born 1952). Other notable students include Frank Dignum, Peter M. G. Apers (Ph.D. 1982), and Jan Broersen. 

Beyond the classroom, van de Riet was involved in the practical application of digital technology. In 1980, he participated in the launch of NOS Teletekst at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, an early milestone in Dutch digital information services. His work is documented in major international registries, including the Mathematics Genealogy Project and zbMATH, reflecting his dual identity as both a mathematician and a computer scientist.

## FAQs
### Q: What was Reinder van de Riet's main area of expertise?
A: He was a computer scientist and mathematician, focusing on academic research and the development of the computer science discipline within the Dutch university system.

### Q: Which notable researchers did Reinder van de Riet train?
A: He served as the doctoral advisor for several prominent scientists, including Martin L. Kersten, Frances Brazier, Roel Wieringa, and Frank Dignum.

### Q: Where did Reinder van de Riet spend his career?
A: He was primarily affiliated with the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam as a professor and researcher, having previously completed his own education at the University of Amsterdam.

## Why They Matter
Reinder van de Riet matters because he was a foundational architect of the Dutch computer science community. By bridging the gap between traditional mathematics and the emerging field of computer science, he helped legitimize the discipline in the Netherlands during the mid-to-late 20th century. 

His significance is most visible in his "academic genealogy." By supervising a diverse group of doctoral students, he effectively seeded the faculty of various Dutch technical universities with experts in databases, multi-agent systems, and software engineering. Without his mentorship, the development of these specialized fields in the Netherlands might have lacked the rigorous mathematical foundation he provided. Furthermore, his involvement in public-facing projects like the 1980 launch of NOS Teletekst demonstrated the early potential of computer science to transform public information systems. His legacy persists through the continued work of his students and the established computer science curriculum at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

## Notable For
*   **Academic Mentorship:** Supervised at least seven prominent doctoral students who became leaders in Dutch computer science.
*   **Academic Lineage:** Was a doctoral student of Adriaan van Wijngaarden, linking him to the earliest era of Dutch computing.
*   **Institutional Leadership:** Held a long-term tenure at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, contributing to its growth as a research institution.
*   **Digital Information Pioneer:** Participated in the 1980 introduction of NOS Teletekst at VU Amsterdam.

## Body
### Academic Background
Reinder van de Riet was born on April 22, 1939, in Groningen. He pursued higher education at the University of Amsterdam, where he studied under the supervision of Adriaan van Wijngaarden. This connection placed van de Riet in a direct line of descent from the pioneers who introduced electronic computing to the Netherlands.

### Career at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Van de Riet spent the majority of his professional life at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU). His tenure coincided with the rapid expansion of the university's technical departments. His role as an employer and educator was central to the VU's mission in the service and industrial sectors of computer science.

### Doctoral Supervision and Legacy
Van de Riet is highly regarded for his role as a Ph.D. advisor. His students include:
*   **Martin L. Kersten:** A specialist in database systems.
*   **Frances Brazier:** A researcher in multi-actor systems and technical systems for citizens.
*   **Roel Wieringa:** A Dutch computer scientist focused on software engineering.
*   **Frank Dignum:** A university teacher and computer scientist.
*   **Peter M. G. Apers:** Who completed his Ph.D. in 1982.
*   **Jan Broersen:** A researcher focusing on AI and mathematics.
*   **P.A. Spruit:** One of his several doctoral candidates.

### Death and Recognition
Van de Riet passed away on December 18, 2008, in Baarn. He is recognized in numerous international authority files, including the Library of Congress (n82005872), the Bibliothèque nationale de France, and the National Library of Israel.

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## References

1. Mathematics Genealogy Project
2. general catalog of BnF
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File