From 1648 to 1749 Marie-Galante was administered by a French governor or royal lieutenant, who often reported to the governor of nearby Guadeloupe, or by the governor of Guadeloupe directly.

The island was discovered by Christopher Columbus on 3 November 1493, and claimed for Spain with the name Santa Maria la Galante.

On 8 November 1648 France incorporated the island into the Guadeloupe administration.

Jacques de Boisseret leased the island from the king of France from 4 September 1649 to 1643.

The administrators of Marie-Galante were:[citation needed] The island was occupied by the British in 1794, and after this no longer had an independent administrator