CHRISTOPHE, HENRY (1767-182o), negro king of Haiti. After purchasing his freedom from slavery he played a promi nent part in the insurrection against the French and in the rising of 1803. He was general-in-chief of the army during the short lived government of Dessalines. Appointed president of Haiti in 1807, after the ensuing civil war, he was crowned king on June 2, 1812. Under him the country prospered, but his cruelty led to an insurrection, and being deserted by his troops he shot himself on Oct. 8, 182o.