Charles Bent | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Governor of New Mexico | |
| In office September 22, 1846 – January 19, 1847 | |
| Preceded by | Juan Bautista Vigil y Alarid |
| Succeeded by | Donaciano Vigil |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 11, 1799 Charleston, Virginia, U.S. (now West Virginia) |
| Died | January 19, 1847 (aged 47) Taos, New Mexico Territory, U.S. |
| Manner of death | Assassination |
| Resting place | Santa Fe National Cemetery |
| Spouse | Maria Ignacia Jaramillo |
| Children | Alfred, Estifina, Maria Teresina, George (died as infant), Virginia (died as infant) |
| Relatives | Silas Bent (father) Martha Kerr Bent (mother) Juliannah (sister) John (brother) Lucy (sister) Dorcas (sister) Mary (sister) George (brother) Robert (brother) Edward (brother) Silas Bent III (brother) William Bent (brother) George Bent (nephew) Owl Woman (sister-in-law) Lilburn Boggs (brother-in-law) Silas Bent IV (nephew) Henry C. Boggs (nephew) Charles Marion Russell (nephew) James Kerr (uncle) |
| Education | United States Military Academy |
Charles Bent (November 11, 1799 – January 19, 1847) was an American businessman and politician who served as the first civilian United States governor of the New Mexico Territory, newly invaded and occupied by the United States during the Mexican-American War by the Military Governor, Stephen Watts Kearny, in September 1846 until his assassination.
Bent had been working as a fur trader in the region since 1828, with his younger brother, William, and later partner Ceran St. Vrain. Though his office was in Santa Fe, Bent maintained his residence and a trading post in Taos, New Mexico Territory, in present-day New Mexico. On January 19, 1847, Bent was scalped and killed by Pueblo warriors, during the Taos Revolt.