Henri Konow
Henri Konow (7 February 1862 – 18 January 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 21 October 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 3 October 1916, he was named acting governor, to oversee the transfer of authority to the United States on 31 March 1917.
During the Easter Crisis of 1920, Konow was Foreign Minister and Defence Minister of Denmark in the Cabinet of Otto Liebe.
In 1923, Konow was promoted to vice admiral and he retired on 7 February 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 30 March 1920 – 5 April 1920 |
Succeeded by Otto Scavenius |
| Preceded by Peter Rochegune Munch |
Defence Minister of Denmark 30 March 1920 – 5 April 1920 |
Succeeded by Michael Pedersen Friis |