Christopher Greenup | |
|---|---|
 Christopher Greenup as Governor | |
| 3rd Governor of Kentucky | |
| In office September 5, 1804 – September 1, 1808 | |
| Lieutenant | John Caldwell Thomas Posey |
| Preceded by | James Garrard |
| Succeeded by | Charles Scott |
| 9th Secretary of State of Kentucky | |
| In office February 3, 1813 – March 13, 1813 | |
| Governor | Isaac Shelby |
| Preceded by | Martin D. Hardin |
| Succeeded by | Martin D. Hardin |
| Member of the Kentucky House of Representatives | |
| In office 1798 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Kentucky's 1st district | |
| In office November 9, 1792 – March 3, 1797 | |
| Preceded by | New congressional seat |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Terry Davis |
| Member of the Kentucky Senate | |
| In office 1792 | |
| Member of the Virginia House of Delegates | |
| In office 1785 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1750 Fairfax County, Virginia Colony, British America |
| Died | April 27, 1818 (aged 67–68) Frankfort, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Resting place | Frankfort Cemetery |
| Political party | Democratic-Republican |
| Spouse | Mary Catherine Pope |
| Profession | Soldier, Lawyer, Surveyor |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | Continental Army, Virginia militia |
| Rank | Colonel |
| Battles/wars | Revolutionary War |
Christopher Greenup (c. 1750 – April 27, 1818) was an American politician who served as a U.S. Representative and the third Governor of Kentucky. Little is known about his early life; the first reliable records about him are documents recording his service in the Revolutionary War where he served as a lieutenant in the Continental Army and a colonel in the Virginia militia.
After his service in the war, Greenup helped settle the trans-Appalachian regions of Virginia. He became involved in politics, and played an active role in three of the ten statehood conventions that secured the separation of Kentucky from Virginia in 1792. He became one of the state's first representatives, and served in the Kentucky General Assembly before being elected governor in a race where, due to his immense popularity, he ran unopposed.
Greenup's term in office was marred by accusations that he had participated in the Burr Conspiracy to align Kentucky with Spain prior to the former's separation from Virginia, but he vigorously and successfully rebutted these charges. Following his term as governor, he became less active in the political arena. He died on April 27, 1818. Greenup County, Kentucky and its county seat were both named in his honor.