Abel Janszoon Tasman
Dutch mariner and merchant Abel Janszoon Tasman (1603 – 1659) is best known for voyages in the Dutch East India Company's service in 1642 and 1644. On the first voyage, Tasman became the first known European explorer to reach Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania), New Zealand, Tonga, and the Fiji Islands. He traversed Australia's northern coast on his second voyage (1644).
Subsequently, Tasman received a promotion, substantial back pay and appointments to the Council of Justice at Batavia, and diplomatic missions to Sumatra (1646) and Siam (mid-1647). An unsuccessful attempt to intercept the Manila galleon (May 1648) saw him removed from office. Although briefly reinstated, Tasman spent the rest of his life as an independent merchant. He was one of Batavia's largest landowners when he died on 10 October 1659.
