In 1926 Bartel L. van der Waerden proved – and in 1927 published – a magnificent theorem: For any k, l, there is such that the set of whole rational numbers 1, 2, ..., N, partitioned into k classes, contains an arithmetic progression of length l in one of the classes. This result, which I call (in honor of the authors of the conjecture and the author of the first proof) Baudet-Schur-Van der Waerden Theorem, belongs to a few revolutionary, classic results which form "Ramsey Theory before Ramsey", and it has awakened my interest in the life of Van der Waerden. I found the literature about his life surprisingly contradictory. On the one hand, in the writings of Günther Frei, Yvonne Dold-Samplonius, W. Peremans, and most recently Rüdiger Thiele, I found the highest praise of Van der Waerden as a man of utmost integrity, a hero of the opposition to the Third Reich. On the other hand, Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands refused to sign off on Van der Waerden's appointment to a chair at the University of Amsterdam in 1946, and Miles Reid in his 1988 book wrote that "a number of mathematicians of the immediate post-war period, including some of the leading algebraic geometers, considered him a Nazi collaborator." As a trained problem-solver, I commenced the search for the real Van der Waerden. Now, 12+ years and many hundreds of documents later, I can grant my predecessors one thing: it is hard to understand B. L. van der Waerden. And while a complete insight is impossible, my research has produced, I believe for the first time, a comprehensive portrait of Van der Waerden the man. I would have liked to share with you much of my findings, but it would take a few days. I will therefore try to do my best with the time I am given. We will visit Van der Waerden during his early years, although my main interest will be the two turbulent decades of his life: 1931-1951.