Ruysbroeck, Jan van

   1) (early 15th c.-1485)

   Jan van Ruys-broeck was born probably in Brussels into a family of stonecutters. His name first appears as a councillor appointed by the craft guilds after 1421 and, in 1429, he is named among the aldermen of Vilvo-orde. In 1449, he was commissioned by the city council to build a tower with spire to replace the belfry of the Hôtel de Ville. The work was finished six years later.

   In 1459, he was named master mason of the duchy of Brabant. Although the office was abolished in 1467 and replaced with one for each of four cities, including Brussels, he was guaranteed a continued salary by the council, and his services remained in demand. He grew wealthy and owned considerable property throughout the city. Ruysbroeck died blind and suffering from loss of memory in Brussels on 28 May 1485.

   2) See Ruusbroec, Jan van