Johann Sigismund Hassius

Johan Sigismund Hassius von Lillienpalm to Svanøe ( – 4 October 1728) was a Dano-Norwegian nobleman and governor of Danish India from 1 July 1704 to 20 October 1716.

Johan Hassius was born in Norway in about 1664 and entered the Norwegian Army in 1687, being regimental quartermaster from 1688 to 1691. In 1703, he went to Danish India on an appointment by the Danish East India Company. A year later, he became governor of the Danish colony of Tranquebar after the death of the previous governor, Jørgen Bjørn. As governor, he misused his position for his own interests, practising corruption and private trade, while abusing his authority towards his opponents. He subsequently became a big opponent of the newly established Danish-Halle Mission, which took orders from the King of Denmark, instead of him.

He was dismissed as governor on 16 August 1716 and returned to Copenhagen in 1717. Despite his conduct in India, he was ennobled on 17 January 1718 and afterward became the governor of the Diocese of Christianssand and .

Hassius died on 4 October 1728 and was buried in Christianssand Cathedral's burial chamber.

Early career Johan Sigismund Hassius was born in Norway in about 1664 to Heinrich Hassius and Anna Cathrine Jürgers. In 1687, Johan Hassius became an (legal official in the army ) and was the regimental quartermaster of the 1st regular infantry regiment in Norway between 1688 and 1691. However, in 1691, he was arrested for unpaid debt, but avoided punishment thanks to his influential friends.

Governor of Tranquebar Due to his advocates and his will to further his career, the management of the Danish East India Company appointed him as (assistant councillor) and (second-in-command) of the Danish colony of Tranquebar in 1703. Subsequently, Hassius departed from Copenhagen on the ship Fridericus Quartus and reached Tranquebar in June 1704. Upon reaching Tranquebar, Hassius discovered that the governor, Jørgen Bjørn, had died on 12 June, and Hassius consequently assumed the governorship of the colony on 1 July with great splendor.

Administration and trade On 26 September 1707, Hassius's status as governor was approved by royal decree. Hassius did not sacrifice much for the company, but instead used the system to his own personal and economic advantage. Both he and the members of the privy council were highly corrupt. Hassius used his fortune on private business deals and especially private trade, which was forbidden by the company. The number of slaves he owned was far greater than that of other Norwegian officials and nobles in the 18th century.