Charles Bent was an American frontiersman and politician, known for his role as the first territorial governor of New Mexico. Born in 1799 in Missouri, he moved westward and became involved in the fur trade. Bent played a significant part in the early development of the region, establishing trade routes and relationships with local Native American tribes. In 1846, during the Mexican-American War, Bent was appointed governor by President James K. Polk. His tenure was marked by challenges, including conflicts with local residents and tensions between different cultural groups. Bent's life ended tragically in 1847 when he was killed during a revolt in Taos.