Isaak Massa Dutch merchant. Country: Netherlands

Biography of Isaac Massa

Isaac Massa (c.1587-1635) was a Dutch merchant who played a significant role in the trade activities between the Netherlands and Moscow. He first arrived in the Muscovy State in 1601 and stayed there until 1609. Upon returning to the Netherlands, he wrote a detailed account of the historical events in Muscovy, starting from the reign of Ivan the Terrible. Massa included a sketch of Moscow alongside his narrative and submitted it to the treasurer of Prince Maurice of Orange, hoping that his efforts would not go unnoticed. However, it is unknown how the book was received.

In 1612, Massa embarked on another journey to Moscow and from then on, he continued his diplomatic and trade activities in the region. The States General assigned him multiple times to negotiate with Moscow regarding free trade. Massa's information was based on his own observations, as well as rumors and discussions with well-informed individuals. While some of his accounts were clearly erroneous, he also provided accurate details about events that he witnessed personally, such as the receptions of Duke Johann and the representatives of the Hanseatic League. These accounts were further substantiated by reports and dispatches from embassies.

The manuscript of Massa's work is preserved in The Hague. The Dutch text was published in an edition by the Archaeographical Commission titled "Accounts of Foreign Writers about Russia" (vol. II, St. Petersburg, 1868). The first Russian translation appeared in 1874, and in 1937, it was revised and accompanied by commentaries.