Hugo de Groot

Hugo de Groot, also known as Hugo Grotius (1583–1645), was a pioneering Dutch philosopher and legal scholar. He is considered one of the founding figures of international law, establishing principles for countries to interact peacefully and justly. Grotius argued that natural laws, based on reason and morality, should govern human conduct across borders, influencing modern ideas of sovereignty and justice. His work laid the groundwork for how nations regulate warfare, treaties, and diplomatic relations, emphasizing the importance of law and ethics in international affairs.