Benjamin Howard (Missouri politician)

Benjamin Howard (1760-1814) was an American politician and soldier who served as a U.S. Representative from Kentucky and as the Governor of the Louisiana Territory (later Missouri Territory).

Born in Goochland County, Virginia, Howard moved to Kentucky in his youth and participated in frontier defense. He served in the Kentucky legislature. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, serving from 1807 to 1810, when he resigned.

In 1810, President James Madison appointed Howard Governor of the Louisiana Territory. As governor, he was responsible for administering the territory and dealing with issues of frontier defense and relations with Native American tribes, particularly in the lead up to the War of 1812. He played a significant role in organizing the territorial militia and preparing for potential conflict.

During the War of 1812, Howard led military expeditions against Native American tribes allied with the British. He commanded forces in campaigns in the Illinois Country and present-day Missouri. He resigned as governor in 1812 to accept a military commission as a Brigadier General in the U.S. Army, continuing to serve during the war.

Howard died in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1814.