 | This biography needs additional citations for verification. (July 2008) |
Jean-Baptiste du Casse | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Governor of Saint-Domingue | |
| In office 1 October 1691 – July 1700 | |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Joseph d'Honon de Gallifet |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 August 1646 Saubusse or Pau (France) |
| Died | 25 June 1715 (aged 68) Bourbon-l'Archambault (Auvergne, France) |
| Spouse | Marthe (de) Baudry (1661-1743) |
| Relations | Marthe du Casse (daughter) Jean-Baptiste de La Rochefoucauld de Roye (grandson) |
| Awards | Order of the Golden Fleece Commander of the Royal and Military Order of Saint Louis |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  France |
| Branch/service | .svg){kind=small} French Navy |
| Years of service | 1686-1714 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General (Vice Admiral) |
| Battles/wars | War of the League of Augsburg War of the Spanish Succession |
Jean-Baptiste du Casse (2 August 1646 – 25 June 1715) was a French Navy officer, privateer, slave trader and colonial administrator who served as the first governor of Saint-Domingue from 1691 to 1700. Born on 2 August 1646 in Saubusse, France to a Huguenot family, du Casse enlisted in the French merchant navy before joining the French East India Company and the Compagnie du Sénégal. He subsequently joined the French navy and took part in several victorious expeditions during the Nine Years' War in the West Indies and South America.
During the War of the Spanish Succession, he participated in several major military engagements, including the Battle of Málaga and the siege of Barcelona. For his service, du Casse was made a knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece by King Philip V of Spain. In the midst of these wars, he served as governor of the French colony of Saint-Domingue from 1691 to 1700. Du Casse ended his military career at the rank of lieutenant general of the French Navy and commander of the Royal and Military Order of Saint Louis. He died on 25 June 1715 in Bourbon-l'Archambault, Auvergne.