1. Where did the family DEJEAN come from?

There is evidence of a French or Wallonian-Belgian origin, but up until now the dates and places of birth of his parents could not be identified. (A Huguenot descent can most probably be ruled out.).

2. What did the man look like?

The starting page of this website shows the portrait of a man who in all likelihood is DEJEAN, probably painted by Jacobus Buys. Apart from that careful research in the archives so far brought to light no portrait, not even a silhouette, of Ferdinand DEJEAN, although various sources mention family portraits. Who knows of such a portrait?

3. What happened to his books?

Likewise suggestions as to what became of DEJEAN's library (or parts of it; antiquarian copies bearing his bookplate "FeRD.DEJEAN." (sic!) are known), collections, personal belongings, family bible, etc. are very welcome!

4. How important was freemasonry to DEJEAN?
There is every indication that Ferdinand DEJEAN became a freemason already in Batavia and belonged to the lodge there ("La Choisie"/"La Fidèle Sincérité"). Especially the fast advancement through the hierarchy of the masonic lodge "La Vertu" of Leyden points in that direction. The vast majority of DEJEAN's friends and the people he exchanged letters with also belonged to a masonic lodge, in part also to the Illuminati Order. It is safe to assume that DEJEAN frequently moved in masonic circles/lodges in the course of his journeys as for example in Mannheim in 1777/78 with MOZART, Johann Baptist WENDLING, Carl CANNABICH, Otto Heinrich von GEMMINGEN and others. Additional information on this topic, especially about sources documenting his presence (guestbooks, visitors' books), also about visits not related to freemasonry, is requested.

5. Did DEJEAN and MOZART ever meet again after Mannheim (Dejean's departure: February 15, 1778)?

Especially in literature about MOZART one frequently finds allusions to DEJEAN and MOZART meeting again in Vienna; Rushton (Mozart. The Master Musicians, p. 109) for example suggests that DEJEAN was living in Vienna in 1782/83 already, which in all probability is wrong. There were only four occasions for a second meeting:

1. 1778 in Paris: DEJEAN travelled to Paris on February 15, 1778, from Mannheim and remained there for several weeks or months before moving on to London (where he met Georg FORSTER, who in turn left London for the continent on October 21, 1778). MOZART arrived at Paris March 23, 1778, and stayed till September 26 of that year.

2. 1781 in Vienna: DEJEAN demonstrably was at Vienna on June 2, since in a letter from Vienna by Jan INGENHOUSZ to Jacob VON BREDA dated June 2, 1781, it says that Doctor Dejean was still around and sends his greetings. MOZART arrived at Vienna on March 15, 1781, and settled there permanently after leaving the services of archbishop Colloredo.

3. 1788 (spring/summer) in Vienna: DEJEAN, long-suffering from gout, stayed there at least for a short while to see off his son, who was leaving for the army, before journeying on to Carlsbad to take the waters. As far as we know, MOZART remained in Vienna for most part of the year 1788.

4. Between summer/autumn of 1790 (DEJEAN settles in Vienna) and December 5, 1791 (death of MOZART): During this period MOZART was absent for prolonged intervals: September 23 till November 10, 1790 (Frankfurt, Mainz, Mannheim etc.), August 25 till September 15, 1791 (Prague).

Any proof for that renewed meeting?

You know more and are able to complement, correct or comment on one of those topics? Then you are more than welcome to leave us a message here.