DUISENBERG, WIM (WILLEM FREDERIK)

(1935–2005)

   Economist and politician. After studying economics and working at the Universityof Groningen, Duisenberg joined the staff of the Interna tional Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C., from 1966 to 1969. He was also chosen as an advisor of the board of directors of the Bank of the Netherlands. In 1970, Duisenberg was appointed professor of macroeconomics at the University of Amsterdam. From 1973 to 1977, he served in government as minister of finance. After three years vice presidency of RABObank Nederland, he became, in 1981, a member of the board of directors of the Bank of the Netherlands and, since 1982, president of that bank. In 1998, Duisenberg was ap pointed the first president of the European Bank, in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. During his term, the euro was successfully intro duced. He resigned from this office in 2003. The FrisianDuisenberg also filled several commissionerships (e.g., Nutricia, Douwe Egberts, and KLM) and other tasks, such as the membership of the board of supervisors of the European Association for Banking History (1990–2005).

   See also European Union (EU).