LESAGE TEN BROEK, JOACHIM GEORGE. - Dutch Catholic publicist and controversialist, b. at Groningen on 27 Nov. 1775, d. at Grave on 11 July 1847. Of a Protestant family, and intended by his father for theological studies, L. preferred to pursue those of law and became a notary in 1808.
The reading of Bossuet’s work Sur les variations des églises protestantes led him in 1806 to enter the Catholic Church. His conversion drew many enemies upon him, and, both in order to defend himself and to demonstrate the truth
of the religion he had chosen, he began an assiduous activity as a publicist. In 1815 he published a work on the excellence of the dogma of the Roman Catholic Church, De voortreffelijkheid van de leer der Roomsch-Catholyke Godsdienst, which was received with great success (the 5th ed. dates from 1816). Of the highest importance for the cause of Catholicism in Holland was the periodical De Godsdienstvriend (“The Friend of Religion”), founded by him in May 1818, which survived until 1869. Other periodicals founded at his instigation contributed decisively to the strengthening and emancipation of the Catholics of Holland.