Jan de Beaufort

Jonkheer Jan de Beaufort was the son of a district judge and obtained doctorates in law from the State University in Utrecht in 1907 and in political sciences in 1909. During his studies he also joined the voluntary reserve of the 2nd Reg. Hussars in Venlo, over the years rising to the rank of captain of the cavalry in 1924. After completing his studies, de Beaufort was appointed clerk of state and was later promoted to referendary and in 1921 to Secretary at the Council of State. One year later, he was made chamberlain by Queen Wilhelmina. He held various additional positions including High Councillor of the Lekdijk-Bovendams water board. In 1940, he was imprisoned in the Buchenwald concentration camp by the Nazis, but survived. After retiring from his positions in 1945 he became a State Councillor in extraordinary service.

In sports, Jan de Beaufort was active particularly in fencing and equestrian. In the 1908 Olympics in London, he competed with the sabre while in 1912 and 1924 he focussed on épée. However, he never advanced beyond the second round. As an official, he was chairman of the Royal Dutch Amateur Fencing Association and vice-president of the Dutch Hunting Association. De Beaufort was also made an honorary member of the Royal Dutch Amateur Fencing Federation and of the Hague Fencing Association.

Jan de Beaufort married Rijmke Lunia Leontine Speelman in 1915. They had four children, three daughters and one son. For his services, he was appointed Knight of the Order of the Netherlands Lion.