Peter Stuyvesant was born in Holland in 1592. Stuyvesant served in the Dutch Army before being appointed director-general of New Netherland in 1646. A dictatorial leader, Stuyvesant was unpopular with the other settlers. However, during his eighteen year administration, the population grew from 2,000 to 8,000.

In 1664 the English fleet arrived and demanded the surrender of the New Netherlands. Stuyvesant wanted to fight but without the support of the other settlers, he was forced to allow the English to take control of the territory. New Amsterdam now became New York. Stuyvesant continued to live on his estate on Manhattan Island until his death in 1672.