People – the Faces of St Croix
Profiles of notable individuals, historical figures, and everyday Crucians who have shaped the island’s story.
Alexander Hamilton
Born on Nevis but raised in Christiansted, Hamilton spent much of his youth on St. Croix. His early experiences here shaped his views on commerce and governance, which later influenced the founding of the United States.
General Buddhoe
A key leader of the 1848 slave rebellion that led to emancipation. He organized a mass gathering in Frederiksted, prompting Governor von Scholten to declare freedom for all enslaved people.
Governor Frederik Moth
Appointed in 1735 as the first Danish governor of St. Croix, Moth oversaw the early establishment of colonial rule and town planning in Christiansted.
Governor Peter von Scholten
Governor-General of the Danish West Indies who, under immense pressure, declared the emancipation of slaves on July 3, 1848. Controversial but pivotal.
Jens Michelsen Beck
Surveyor and mapmaker whose detailed 18th-century maps of St. Croix estates remain valuable historical resources today.
Julius von Rohr
Botanist and surveyor who contributed significantly to the early botanical studies and estate documentation of the island.
Anna Heegaard
Free woman of color and companion to Peter von Scholten, Heegaard was influential in St. Croix’s social and philanthropic circles.
David Hamilton Jackson
Labor leader and editor who fought for civil rights, press freedom, and labor reform. His work laid the foundation for modern democracy in the Virgin Islands.
Ralph de Chabert Sr.
Long-serving teacher, principal, and education advocate.
Queen Mary Thomas
One of the three female leaders of the 1878 Fireburn rebellion. She symbolizes the fierce resistance of Crucian women against oppression.