Editing Gouda, South Holland (section)

=== Public thinking and public service ===
* [[Gerard Leeu]] (1445–1493) was a Dutch printer of the [[incunabulum]] period
* [[Desiderius Erasmus]] (1466–1536) a Dutch philosopher and Christian humanist, scholar of the [[northern Renaissance]]<ref>{{cite EB1911|wstitle=Erasmus,_Desiderius |volume=9 |short=x}}</ref>
* [[Cornelius Loos]] (1546–1595) a Roman Catholic priest, theologian and professor of theology 
* brothers [[Cornelis de Houtman]] (1565–1599) and [[Frederick de Houtman]] (1571–1627) were explorers on the [[first Dutch expedition to the East Indies]] 
* [[Adriaen Maertensz Block]] (ca.1582-1661) commander and governor of [[Governorate of Ambon|Ambon]] 1614-1617, 
* [[Hieronymus van Beverningh]] (1614–1690) a diplomat, amateur botanist and patron of the arts
* [[Roemer Vlacq (1637–1703)|Roemer Vlacq]] (1637–1703) a Dutch naval captain, who blew up his ship to save it from capture
* [[Hieronymus van Alphen]] (1746–1803) a jurist and wrote poems for children
* [[Gerard Van Helden]] (1848–1901) Detective Superintendent in the Birmingham City Police Force
* [[Gerard van Leijenhorst]] (1928–2001) a politician and chemistry teacher in Gouda 1955 to 1971
* [[Wim Deetman]] (born 1945) a politician, teacher and municipal councillor in Gouda 1974 to 1981
* [[Jan Oosterhaven]] (born 1945) economist and university professor
* [[Hans van Leeuwen]] (born 1946) an educator, engineer, inventor, researcher and entrepreneur
* [[Ad Melkert]] (born 1956) a Dutch politician, diplomat and nonprofit director