William Byrd II

William Byrd II (March 28, 1674 – August 26, 1744) 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.

He may be known best for writing his diary and narratives of his surveying, of which some excerpts have been published in American literature textbooks.

Early life and education

William Byrd, the eldest child of Mary Horsmanden Filmer Byrd and her second husband, William Byrd I, was born on March 28, 1674, in Henrico County, Virginia.

Literary pursuits

While William Byrd was an avid planter, politician, and statesman, he was also a man of letters. He collected books written in English, French, Italian, Dutch, Hebrew, Greek, and Latin on a wide range of subjects. Considered one of the greatest colonial libraries, he had 3,500 volumes, including biography, history, architecture, science, divinity and law. He also had books about gardening, art, medicine, drama, and etiquette.