(Daniel), professor of politics and history at Leyden, and librarian to the university there, was born at Gand in Flanders in 1580. He became a scholar to Joseph Scaliger at Leyden, and was indebted to the encouragement and care of that great man for the perfection to which he attained in literature, and which at the beginning of his life there was little reason to hope from him. He distinguished himself as a critic by his labours on many classical authors; and was highly honoured as well abroad as at home: Gustavus Adolphus king of Sweden gave him a place among his counsellors of state; the republic of Venice made him a knight of the order of St Mark; and pope Urban VIII. made him great offers, if he would come, as he expressed it, "to rescue Rome from barbarism." He died in 1666, leaving several works of his own, both in poetry and prose.

(Nicholas), the son of Daniel Heinsius, was born at Leyden; and became as great a Latin poet, and a greater critic, than his father. His poems have been several times printed, but the best edition is that of Amsterdam in 1666. He gave editions of several of the classics, with notes; his Claudian is dedicated in a Latin poem to queen Christina of Sweden, and his Ovid to Thuanus. At his death, which happened in 1681, he disclaimed all his works, and expressed the utmost regret at having left behind him so many "monuments of his vanity," as he called them. He was as much distinguished by his great employments in the state, as by his talents, learning, and good qualities.