Jørgen Bjørn
Jørgen Bjørn | |
|---|---|
| 17th Governor of Tranquebar | |
| In office July 1702 – 12 June 1704 | |
| Monarch | Frederick IV |
| Preceded by | Mikkel Knudsen Crone |
| Succeeded by | Johan Sigismund Hassius |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1652 Copenhagen, Denmark–Norway |
| Died | 12 June 1704 (aged 51–52) Tranquebar, Danish India |
| Spouse(s) |
Margrethe Dahl
(m. 1675, divorced)Anna Lauritsdatter Uddal
(m. 1699) |
| Children | 4-6 |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Denmark–Norway |
| Branch/service | Royal Danish Navy |
| Years of service | 1671–1701 |
| Rank | Schoutbynacht |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Heligoland Dano-Mughal War Arrest attempt of Jørgen Bjørn |
Jørgen Hermandsen Bjørn (1652 – 12 June 1704) was a Danish captain and governor of Tranquebar from July 1702 to his death on 12 June 1704.
Bjørn was born in Copenhagen in 1652 and went to sea at the age of 16. In 1671, he entered the Danish navy and became a captain in 1682, participating in the conquest of Heligoland in 1684. The following year, he went to Danish India, possibly conducting privateering against the Mughals, and returned in 1687. During the return voyage, he became involved in a conflict with Governor Wolf Henrik von Kalnein, who wanted to arrest Bjørn. After a short armed encounter, Bjørn's ship left the fleet and returned to Copenhagen alone.
In 1701, he was appointed Governor of Danish India and reached the Danish colony of Tranquebar in July 1702. Notwithstanding, he governed with great authority and caused trade to decline. Consequently, he was replaced by Johan Sigismund Hassius on 31 June 1704, but had already died on 12 June.