Robert Crittenden (January 1, 1797 – December 18, 1834) was an American lawyer who served as the first secretary of the Arkansas Territory from 1819 to 1829.

President James Monroe appointed Crittenden secretary of the Arkansas Territory in 1819.

From July to December 1819, he served as acting governor while James Miller was delayed for an extended period en route to Arkansas Territory.

By 1827, he and his former friend, Henry Conway, a territorial representative, had come into conflict on political issues and finally had a duel.

He mortally wounded Conway near Napoleon, Arkansas, on October 29, 1827, who died several days later.