| Robert Perkins Letcher
was born on February 10, 1788 in Goochland County, Virginia. He was the
seventh of twelve children born to Stephen and Betsey Perkins Letcher. His parents moved the family to Garrard County around 1800. R. P. attended Joshua Fry's private school in Danville. He later studied law in the office of Humphrey Marshall and was admitted to the bar and began his practice in Lancaster. During the War of 1812, Robert served as judge advocate in the Kentucky Volunteer Mounted Militia commanded by Lt. Col. James Allen. In 1813, he was elected to the state House of Representatives where he served four years. From 1823 to 1833, Robert served in the U. S. House. He returned to Kentucky and was again elected to the state House where he continued to represent Garrard County serving as Speaker in his last two years. By a landslide Letcher was elected governor in 1840 on the Whig ticket over Democrat Judge Richard French. During his administration, Letcher curbed spending and reported a budget surplus. After his term he practiced law in Frankfort. He remained active in politics and in 1847 made a bid for the U.S.and was defeated. He served as U. S. Minister to Mexico 1850-52.
Robert P. Letcher married
Mary Oden Epps, who died on March 9, 1816. He married second
Charlotte |
 |
KY
GOVERNORS
BACK
TO PEOPLE AND EVENTS
HOME
All information submitted
to and published at this site is intended for research purpose only. It may
not be reproduced for
COMMERCIAL publication without the written consent of the creator. Although
public records are not subject to copyright law,
the design of format
is a personal creation and is subject to the laws of copyright. If you have
any questions concerning
the information published on this
page or at the Franklin
County, Kentucky ALHN website, please feel free to email
me,
Anne H. Lee,
and I will be glad to address your questions and or
comments.
© 1999 - 2010 Anne H. Lee
![[Image]](pict1.jpg)