Henri Konow
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Henri Konow (February 7, 1862 – January 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, 1920 – April 5, 1920 |
Succeeded by Otto Scavenius |
Preceded by Peter Rochegune Munch |
Defence Minister of Denmark March 30, 1920 – April 5, 1920 |
Succeeded by Michael Pedersen Friis |