Kentucky. Governor (1840-1844 : Letcher)

Robert Perkins Letcher served as Kentucky's fifteenth governor. He was elected in 1840, and was a member of the Whig Party.

Letcher was born February 10, 1788 in Goochland County, Virginia. After moving his family first to Harrodsburg then to Garrard County, Kentucky, Letcher's father opened a brickyard. By necessity, Robert Letcher worked there. He later attended the prestigious academy conducted by Joshua Fry near Danville and then studied law in the office of Humphrey Marshall whereupon he opened his own practice in Lancaster.

During the War of 1812, Letcher served as judge advocate in the Kentucky Mounted Volunteer Militia. In October 1812, his enlistment ended and Letcher turned his attention towards politics. He served as a representative from Garrard County in the Kentucky House of Representatives from 1813 to 1817. He was then elected to the United States Congress where he served from 1823 to 1835. He was a personal friend of Henry Clay and was influential in the agreement that sent John Quincy Adams to the presidency and Clay to the position of Secretary of State. Upon Letcher's return to Kentucky, he served from 1836 to 1838 in the Kentucky House of Representatives; the last two he was also Speaker of the House.

In 1840 Letcher defeated Democrat Richard French by a large majority to win the governorship. Though he was a strong believer in Clay's program of internal improvements, Letcher was forced to stop the state's outlays for such improvements because of the existing economic depression. Although no major legislation was passed for debtor relief during his term, a few pieces of minor legislation delaying foreclosures were passed. His administration was a peaceful one, as the Whigs controlled not only the office of governor, but also both houses of the General Assembly. By the time Letcher left office in 1844, the state was well on its way to economic health.

Letcher continued his interest in politics after leaving office. He campaigned hard during Clay's unsuccessful bid for the presidency in 1844. He also supported fellow Whig Zachary Taylor in 1848. Following Taylor's election, Letcher was appointed minister to Mexico. He was not happy with the appointment and ultimately failed in negotiating a treaty concerning American settlers with the Mexican government. After two years, Letcher returned to Kentucky.

In 1853, Letcher once again ran for Congress, but he lost by a slim margin and did not run for office again. He returned to his law practice until his death in January 1861. Robert Letcher was buried in Frankfort, Kentucky.