thumb|Johan Printz, Governor of New Swedenthumb|Sculpture in the park, "Rådhusparken" in [[Jönköping, Sweden]]
Johan Björnsson Printz (July 20, 1592 – May 3, 1663) was a Swedish military officer and colonial official. He served as the 3rd governor of New Sweden, the Swedish colony in North America, from 1643 until 1653.
Early life in Sweden
He was born in Bottnaryd, Jönköping County, in the province of Småland in 1592. He was the son of a Lutheran pastor, Björn Hansson, and Gunilla Svensdotter. Printz received his early education in Sweden followed in 1618 by theological studies at German universities. While on a journey in about 1620, he was pressed into military service. The involuntary change in occupation turned out to suit him.
Life in New Sweden
By 1642, he was restored to royal favor, During his tenure of office, seven expeditions, containing more than 300 emigrants, sailed from Sweden. The influx of settlers was made up of farmers who dealt fairly with the Indians and established a precedent of kindliness and justice. William Penn and his followers later became indirect beneficiaries of this treatment when they were received in a friendly manner by the Indians. In 1653 Hans Månsson and 21 others including Olof Persson Stille, Peter Minuit and Sven Gunnarsson signed a petition opposing his rule.
Eventually, Printz found his position impossible, and in 1654 he returned to Sweden. His son-in-law Johan Papegoja, married to his daughter Armegott Printz, was acting governor until John Rising (Johan Risingh) was appointed Governor in his place.
Later life in Sweden
On his return to Sweden, Printz was made a general. Several years later, in 1658, he was appointed governor of Jönköping. The information on this period in his life is limited.