Grotius, << GROH shee uhs, >> Hugo (1583-1645), a Dutch lawyer, theologian, statesman, and poet, is considered the founder of international law. He wrote On the Law of War and Peace. Grotius was born Huig de Groot in Delft on April 10, 1583. He graduated from Leiden University at 15. He became chief magistrate of Rotterdam in 1613. Grotius was condemned to life imprisonment in 1619 for opposing strict Calvinism. His wife helped him escape. From 1635 to 1645, he served as Swedish ambassador to France. He died on Aug. 28, 1645. See also International law (Early history) ; Peace (From the 1400’s to the 1700’s) .
