Claus Hansen

Claus Hansen was a Governor of the Danish West Indies from 1702 until his death.

Hansen started his career in the West Indies as one of the soldiers brought by Jørgen Thormøhlen in 1690. Two years later he was promoted to ensign, or the junior officer post. His rise to prominence began in 1699 when he married Anna van Ockeren, the widow of Iver Jørgensen Dyppel. As she died the same year, Hanse came into an inheritance of the Dyppel fortune.

Following the death of John Lorentz, Governor-general of the Danish West Indies in 1702, and the Company supported the election of Hansen on that post. He was appointed to this position in 1702 and held that post for the following four years.

His contribution is the institution of the island councils in the Danish West Indies comprised of Saint Thomas, Saint John and Saint Croix.