Kuyper, Abraham (ä`brähäm koi`pər), 1837–1920, Dutch political figure and Calvinist theologian. After holding important pastorates, he became interested in politics and engaged in political and theological controversies. In 1886 he founded the Free Reformed Church. He edited an encyclopedia of sacred theology. Kuyper was first elected to the States-General in 1874 and served a number of terms. He was minister of the interior from 1901 to 1905.

Kuyper, Abraham

(born Oct. 29, 1837, Maassluis, Neth.—died Nov. 8, 1920, The Hague) Dutch theologian and politician. After serving as a pastor (1863–74), he founded a Calvinist-oriented newspaper (1872) and was elected to the national assembly (1874). He formed the Anti-Revolutionary Party, the first organized Dutch political party, and built up a lower-middle-class following with a program that combined orthodox religious positions and a progressive social agenda. To provide Calvinist training for pastors, he founded the Free University at Amsterdam (1880), and in 1892 he founded the Reformed Churches in The Netherlands. As prime minister of The Netherlands (1901–05), he advocated a wider franchise and broader social benefits.