Tomé de Sousa (1503–1579) was a Portuguese nobleman and soldier who served as the first governor-general of the Portuguese colony of Brazil from 1549 to 1553. Born in Rates, Póvoa de Varzim, Sousa took part in military expeditions in Africa, fought the Moors and commanded the nau Conceição to Portuguese India, part of the armada of Fernão de Andrade. Sousa was also the first knight commander of the medieval Monastery of Rates, re-established in 1100 and dissolved in the 16th century.
Before Brazil
Born into nobility, Sousa was fathered by a Prior and a descendant of King Afonso III, Dom João de Sousa. Despite being born illegitimately, he worked for the royal court from a young age with the support of Antônio de Ataíde, his cousin and the count of Castenheira. Before becoming governor-general of Brazil, Sousa fought as a soldier in Morocco and North Africa, and traveled for the Indian spice trade. In 1536, Sousa was recognized by the Portuguese government for his service, and he was knighted three years later for military achievement.
Among the colonists were six Jesuits, the first in Brazil, whom he assisted in the Christianization of the natives and helped to reaffirm the King's rule over the colonies. Sousa's relationship with Manuel da Nóbrega and the Jesuit missionaries allowed him to keep watch on other territories and Indigenous tribes. Along with those he brought, Sousa made land grants to other settlers. He was successful in decreasing the hostilities waged against the colonists by natives, in part through diplomatic means, but primarily through his use of cruel and often extreme punishment. Along with Christianization, Sousa established days of market to encourage trade between settlers and the natives.