Dutch merchant and diplomat.

Served in the navy. Traded in Macao and Canton (1758-73). Settled in South Carolina as a merchant and rice planter (1783-88). Directed the affairs of the Dutch East India Company in Canton (1788-95). Second- ranking member of the Dutch legation to China (1794-95).

Visited Philadelphia, where he compiled and published Voyage de l’ambassade de la Compagnie des Indes orientales hollandaises, vers l’empereur de la Chine, dans less années 1794 & 1795 … (Philadelphia, 1797-98). Member of the American Philosophical Society (1797).

Son of Frans Thomas and Everardina Catharina (van Nijmegen) van Braam Houckgeest. Married Catharina Cornelia Gertruida van Reede van Oudthoorn in 1763; had issue. Divorced. Married Johanna Egberta Constantia van Schuler; had issue. Died in Amsterdam.