William Byrd II was an American planter, lawyer, surveyor, and writer. Born in the English colony of Virginia, Byrd was educated in London, where he practiced law. Upon his father's death, Byrd returned to Virginia in 1705. He served as a member of the Virginia Governor's Council from 1709 to 1744.
Photos 6
c. 1720-1726 portrait of Byrd by Hans Hysing
Lucy Parke Byrd, Byrd II's first wife
Maria Taylor Byrd, William Byrd's second wife
Jane Byrd, daughter of William Byrd II and Maria Taylor Byrd, later the wife of Hon. John Page of North End, Gloucester County, Virginia, 1750
Historic marker for William Byrd's Camp on his expedition to survey the Dividing Line, Henry County, Virginia, 1728Awards 1
In their orbit 10
Writers born in the 1670s 6
About this person
William Byrd II was an American planter, lawyer, surveyor, and writer. Born in the English colony of Virginia, Byrd was educated in London, where he practiced law. Upon his father's death, Byrd returned to Virginia in 1705. He served as a member of the Virginia Governor's Council from 1709 to 1744. Byrd was also the House of Burgesses's colonial agent in London during the 1720's. His life reflected aspects of both the British colonial gentry and an emerging American identity.
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