Christopher Greenup

Christopher Greenup (* 1750 in Loudoun County, Virginia, † April 27, 1818 in Frankfort, Kentucky ) was an American politician ( Democratic- Republican) and Governor of the State of Kentucky, which he also represented in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Early years

The exact date of birth of Christopher Greenup is unknown. The American historians assume, however, that he was born in 1750. During the Revolutionary War he rose to colonel in the Virginia militia and the Continental Army. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1783. He then practiced law in Fayette County, which now belongs to Kentucky, but at that time was still part of Virginia. Since 1785 Greenup was politically active. In that year he became a member of the Lower House of Virginia. He also was present at three out of ten convents, where discussed the western parts of Virginia on a state. The result was the emergence of the State of Kentucky and its inclusion in the Union on June 1, 1792. From 1792 to 1797 he represented the second constituency of the new state as a deputy in the U.S. House of Representatives. After a brief interlude in the House of Representatives from Kentucky from 1799 to 1802 he was an official ( Clerk ) in the Senate of that State. From 1802 to 1804 he was District Judge of Frankfort.

Governor of Kentucky

In 1800 he applied unsuccessfully for the office of governor; he was defeated in second place James Garrard. Four years later he went to unopposed and was Garrard's successor. Greenup campaigned for the improvement of infrastructure in Kentucky. So he planned a canal in Louisville, to circumvent the Falls of the Ohio with ships can. His goal was to improve the development of the waterways, particularly after the Mississippi had been released as a waterway for regular shipping. In order goods could easily across the Mississippi to New Orleans and shipped from there around the world. Also during his tenure, a state-owned bank was set up in Frankfort. Greenup also made sure that the public offices were filled with trustworthy individuals.

After the end of his term in 1808 he was a lawyer again. Four years later he was Justice of the Peace in Franklin County. From the beginning he was a member of the board of trustees of Transylvania University in Lexington. Christopher Greenup died on April 27, 1818 in Frankfort. He was married to Mary Catherine Pope, with whom he had two children.