Simon van der Stel

Simon van der Stel
Portrait of Van der Stel by Pieter van Anraedt
1st Governor of the Dutch Cape Colony
In office 1 June 1691 – 2 November 1699 (1691-06-01 – 1699-11-02)
Preceded by	Himself, as commander
Succeeded by	Willem Adriaan van der Stel
Commander 10 December 1679 – 1 June 1691 (1679-12-10 – 1691-06-01)
Preceded by	Hendrik Crudop (acting)
Succeeded by	Himself, as governor
Personal details
Born	(1639-10-14)14 October 1639 Born at sea, Indian Ocean
Died	24 June 1712(1712-06-24) (aged 72) Constantia, Cape Colony
Spouse	Johanna Jacoba Six
Children	Willem Adriaan van der Stel
Parent	Adriaan van der Stel (father)
Employer	Dutch East India Company

Simon van der Stel (14 October 1639 – 24 June 1712) was the first Governor of the Dutch Cape Colony (1691), the settlement at the Cape of Good Hope. He was interested in botany, establishing vineyards Groot and Klein Constantia, and producing a famous dessert wine. He is considered one of the founders of South African viticulture.