Christophe

Christophe, HENRI, king of Hayti, was born a slave on the island of Grenada, October 6, 1767. Coming to Hayti, he joined the black insurgents against the French in 1790, and, from his gigantic stature, energy, and courage, soon became a leader among them. By Toussaint Louverture he was appointed brigadier-general. In 1802 he gallantly defended Cape Hayti against the French. He and Pétion secured the overthrow of the short-lived government of Dessalines in 1806; and in 1807 he was appointed president of Hayti. Civil war commenced between him and Pétion; but in 1811 Christophe was proclaimed king of Hayti, by the name of Henri I., and ruled with vigour and not without success. But his avarice and cruelty led to an insurrection; and deserted by his bodyguard and all his nobles, he shot himself, October 8, 1820. He left a code of laws which he called the 'Code Henri,' in imitation of the Code Napoléon. See HAYTI.