Robert Crittenden
Robert Crittenden
Robert Crittenden | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 1st Secretary of the Arkansas Territory | |
| In office July 4, 1819 – April 8, 1829 | |
| President | |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | William S. Fulton |
| Acting Governor of Arkansas Territory | |
| In office July 4, 1819 – December 26, 1819 | |
| President | James Monroe |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | James Miller |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 1, 1797 Woodford County, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | December 18, 1834 (aged 37) Vicksburg, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic-Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Ann Morris ( m. 1822) |
| Children | 4 |
| Father | John Crittenden, Sr. |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service |
|
| Rank | Captain |
| Commands | Crittenden's Company of Kentucky Life Guards |
| Battles/wars | |
Robert Crittenden (January 1, 1797 – December 18, 1834) was an American lawyer who served as the first secretary of the Arkansas Territory from July 4, 1819, to April 8, 1829. He also served as acting governor of Arkansas Territory from July to December 1819. Crittenden co-founded the Rose Law Firm.
Early life and education[edit]
Robert Crittenden was born in Woodford County, Kentucky, the son of John (1756–1806) and Judith (née Harris) Crittenden (1760–1800). His father was a Kentucky pioneer from Virginia, who had been a major in the Continental Army. Crittenden has a brother, John, who later served as a U.S. senator. His great-nephew was politician Thomas T. Crittenden, Jr. Robert Crittenden was educated privately and read the law as a legal apprentice to prepare for passing the bar.
Political career[edit]
President James Monroe appointed Crittenden secretary of the Arkansas Territory in 1819. Crittenden served in this role through 1829. From July to December 1819, he served as acting governor while James Miller was delayed for an extended period en route to Arkansas Territory. Crittenden called the first territorial legislature into session and took responsibility for organizing the new territory. He amassed considerable political power. Crittenden was a primary leader in preparing the territory for statehood. He was appointed as United States Commissioner for negotiating the 1824 Treaty with the Quapaw Indians.
Conway–Crittenden duel[edit]
By 1827, he and his former friend, Henry Conway, a territorial representative, had come into conflict on political issues and finally had a duel. He mortally wounded Conway near Napoleon, Arkansas, on October 29, 1827, who died several days later. Crittenden lived at the end of his life in Vicksburg, Mississippi.
Legacy[edit]
Crittenden County, Arkansas,[1] and the Robert Crittenden Chapter (established January 15, 1951) of the DAR in West Memphis, Arkansas, is named after him.[2]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 96.
- ^ "The Robert Crittenden Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution". Retrieved January 14, 2020.
External links[edit]
- Robert Crittenden at Find a Grave
- Robert Crittenden at The Political Graveyard
- The American Era at Historical Marker Database
- Works by or about Robert Crittenden at Internet Archive
- Works by or about Robert Crittenden in libraries (WorldCat catalog)
| Territorial (1819–1836) |  | |
|---|---|---|
| State (from 1836) |
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- 1797 births
- 1834 deaths
- 19th-century American lawyers
- 19th-century American politicians
- 19th-century American newspaper founders
- American army personnel of the War of 1812
- American lawyers admitted to the practice of law by reading law
- American militia officers
- Arkansas Democratic-Republicans
- Arkansas lawyers
- Burials in Kentucky
- Crittenden family
- Duellists
- Governors of Arkansas Territory
- Law firm founders
- Military personnel from Kentucky
- People from Woodford County, Kentucky
- United States Army personnel of the Seminole Wars
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