DIEMEN, ANTHONY VAN Dutch admiral, became governor-general of the East Indian settlements in 1636, and captured the Portuguese possessions in Ceylon and Malacca. He developed the prosperity both of the Indies and of Dutch trade with them, ensuring the Dutch monopoly, e.g., of pepper in Sumatra, etc. He greatly extended the commercial relationships of the Dutch, opening up trade with Tong-king, China and Japan. As an administrator also he showed ability, and he founded a Latin school and churches in Batavia. Exploring expeditions were sent to Australia under his auspices in 1636 and 1642, and Abel Tasman named of ter him (Van Diemen's Land) the island now called Tasmania. Van Diemen died at Batavia on April 19,