Steenwijk was for two weeks acting grand pensionary as part of a transitional arrangement. The most famous and significant grand pensionary was Johan de Witt, who held the office between 1653 and 1672. Johan van Oldenbarnevelt, who played a crucial role in the Dutch struggle for independence equalled him in influence, though he held the position when it was still called land's advocate. See also List of Grand Pensionaries References 1619 establishments in the Dutch Republic 1806 disestablishments in the Batavian Republic Titles of national or ethnic leadership