John Christopher Burch (October 27, 1827 – July 28, 1881) served as secretary of the United States Senate.
During the stormy canvass of 1860, he took the Southern side with fervor in his editorial position, and from 1861 to 1865 served faithfully in the Confederate Army, at first on the staff of Gen. Pillow, and subsequently as aide to Gen. Forrest and Gen. Withers.
At the close of the American Civil War, he resumed the practice of law in Nashville, and was attaining high rank at the bar, when in 1869 he was tempted to purchase a controlling influence in the paper which he had formerly edited, and to assume the duties of managing editor.
In 1873, he was appointed as Comptroller of the State; there were allegations that Burch had purchased this office, but an investigation officially cleared him.
In this situation he won the esteem of Senators of all parties, and at his death left an excellent record for probity and efficiency.