Born in 1942 in Oosterhout (NL).  M.A. (Latin and Greek literature) at the Roman Catholic University in Nijmegen, LL.M. at the Erasmus University (Rotterdam).  Ph.D. at University of Utrecht; subject: the human right on education and the Dutch Constitution.

1984: professor of public and administrative law, Faculty of law, Erasmus University. 1986-1989, 1991-1993: dean of the Faculty of law, Erasmus University. 1993-2001: rector of the Erasmus University.

Rector of the College of Europe until his death on 17th June 2002.