Tomé de Sousa

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tomé de Sousa
Tomé de Sousa
Born	1503 Rates
Died	1573/1579
Occupation	Governor-General of Brazil, soldier

Tomé de Sousa (1503-1573 or 1579) was the first governor-general of Brazil, when it was a Portuguese colony. He was a nobleman and soldier born in Rates, Póvoa de Varzim.

Sousa participated in military expeditions in Africa, fought the Moors and commanded the Nau Conceição to India, part of the armada of Fernão de Andrade. He held the position of governor-general of Brazil from 1549 to 1553.

He was the agent in charge of restoring the king's authority in Brazil. As part of this mission, he had the capital of Brazil, Salvador, built. He brought 1,000 soldiers with him when he went to Brazil. He also assisted in the christianization of the natives.