Jarig Jelles


Jarig Jelles (1620 - 22 February 1683) was a Amsterdam merchant who was part of the circle of friends around the philosopher Spinoza.

Jelles was a trader in figs and raisins, but in 1653 he transferred the matter to another to dedicate himself to his studies. He was a prominent member of the Collegians. Other members of this group of freelancers were, in addition to Jelles and Spinoza, among others Pieter Balling, Jan Rieuwertsz and Coenraad van Beuningen.

After Spinoza moved to Rijnsburg in 1661, Jelles corresponded with Spinoza and also supported him financially.

He wrote in 1673 Confessions of General and Christian Faith, claiming that Descartes's Christianity and doctrine can be well-tolerated. After the death of Spinoza in 1677, he played an important role in the editors of Spinozas posthumously released Opera Posthuma. He also wrote the foreword, a small biography.

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