Henri Konow

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Henri Konow (February 7, 1862January 18, 1939) was an officer in the Danish navy, and the last governor of the Danish West Indies, overseeing the transfer of administration to the United States of America. He was born in Copenhagen, the son of consul Hans Jacob Hesselberg Konow and Ida Marie West.

Konow started his career in 1879 as a cadet in the Danish navy, advancing to second lieutenant after 4 years. He married Jacobine Cathrine Margrethe Worsaae on October 21, 1892. In 1893, he published an autobiography.

By World War I, Konow had advanced to commander, and was in charge of the Valkyrie, stationed at the Danish West Indies. On October 3, 1916, he was named acting governor, to oversee the transfer of authority to the United States on March 31, 1917.

During the Easter Crisis of 1920, Konow was Foreign Minister and Defence Minister of Denmark in the Cabinet of Liebe.

In 1923, Konow was promoted to vice admiral and he retired on February 7, 1927.

Political offices
Preceded by
Lars Christian Helweg-Larsen
Governor of the Danish West Indies (acting)
1916–1917
Succeeded by
Edwin Taylor Pollock
(First U.S. Governor)
Preceded by
Erik Scavenius
Foreign Minister of Denmark
March 30, 1920April 5, 1920
Succeeded by
Otto Scavenius
Preceded by
Peter Rochegune Munch
Defence Minister of Denmark
March 30, 1920April 5, 1920
Succeeded by
Michael Pedersen Friis

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