Who was the first governor of the American State of Louisiana?

William Charles Cole Claiborne is recognized as the first governor of the American State of Louisiana. After the United States acquired Louisiana through the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, Claiborne was appointed as the territorial governor in 1804, when Louisiana was not yet a state but a territory. His leadership marked the transition of the region from French and Spanish colonial rule to being part of the United States.

Claiborne's tenure was significant in laying down the foundational governance structures and addressing the challenges of integrating a culturally diverse population. He faced various issues, including dealing with differing legal systems, language barriers, and resistance from local populations accustomed to French and Spanish rule.

The other individuals mentioned had important roles in the history of New Orleans and the region, but they served under colonial or different governmental contexts before Louisiana became a state in the United States. For example, Bernardo Galvez served as a Spanish governor and had a pivotal role during the American Revolutionary War, while Pere Antoine de Sedella and Don Andres Almonester y Roxas were influential figures in the religious and cultural realms of New Orleans, respectively. None had the position or authority to be considered the first governor of the state as Claiborne did.