George Wythe

@Professor, Life Achievements and Family ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ George Wythe was one of the Founding Fathers of America and signed the U.S American Leaders Political Leaders George Wythe was a prominent lawyer, educator and judge who represented Virginia in the Continental Congress and signed the U.S. Declaration of Independence in 1776. He was well-educated and much respected among his contemporaries for his intelligence, wit and high moral principles. He began his career in government services, shortly after completing his legal studies. He was one of the vehement opponents of the Stamp Act of 1765, which imposed a direct tax on the colonies of British America, and wrote a letter to the parliament, condemning the Act. This incident made him a popular political figure and he was made the Mayor of Williamsburg. He also served as a burgess at The College of William and Mary where he met Professor William Small on whose suggestion he mentored Thomas Jefferson, then a young student of law. As a professor he also taught and mentored John Marshall who went on to become a Chief Justice of the United States. Along with issues related to law, he also participated in discussions on history, philosophy, and languages with other prominent personalities like Francis Fauquier and Norborne Berkeley. When the first Law College was established in Independent America, he was made its very first Professor of Law and mentored many students like James Monroe and Henry Clay who went on to become famous personalities.

Personal Details

Birthday: 1726 Died on: June 8, 18061726 Nationality: American Famous: Professor, Leaders, Political Leaders Spouses: Ann Wythe, Elizabeth Taliaferro Birth Place: Hampton, Virginia Gender: Male Information Detail Birthday 1726 Died on June 8, 18061726 Nationality American Famous Professor, Leaders, Political Leaders Spouses Ann Wythe, Elizabeth Taliaferro Birth Place Hampton, Virginia Gender Male Father M Mother Margaret Walker Born in Hampton, Virginia Famous as American professor Died at Age 80

Hampton, Virginia

George Wythe born at Unsplash Birth Place

He married Ann Lewis, the daughter of his mentor Zachary Lewis in 1747. She died of an illness a few months later in 1748. Unsplash Personal Life

In 1755, he married Elizabeth Taliaferro. The couple’s only child died in infancy. Unsplash Personal Life

By 1805, Wythe had allowed his sister's grandson, George Wythe Sweeney, to live with him. Sweeney is said to have poisoned Wythe, his housekeeper and her son. Wythe died on June 8, 1806. Unsplash Personal Life

He was the son of Thomas Wythe III and his wife Margaret Walker. His father died while George was only three and he was raised by his mother. Unsplash Childhood & Early Life

Hailing from a family of Quakers, his mother was a well-educated women. She educated her son at home and taught him Greek and Latin. She instilled in him love and respect for all mankind, and encouraged him to develop interest in varied subjects. Unsplash Childhood & Early Life

At the age of 14, he enrolled at the Grammar School at William and Mary. He went to study law under his uncle Stephen Dewey when he was 16. After two years he continued his studies on his own. Unsplash Childhood & Early Life

He gave his bar exam in 1746 when he was only 20. He passed the exam, received his license to practice, and was admitted to the bar in Elizabeth City County in 1746. Unsplash Career

He moved to Spotsylvania County where he met Zachary Lewis, the King’s attorney, who mentored him. He married his daughter Ann who died within 8 months of their marriage. Heartbroken, he returned to Williamsburg. Unsplash Career

On returning to Williamsburg in 1748, he joined Benjamin Waller, a relative of Zachary Lewis, in his law practice. Unsplash Career

In 1748, he was appointed as the clerk of two important committees in the House of Burgesses - Privileges and Elections and Propositions and Grievances. He also continued his law practice. Unsplash Career

He was briefly appointed as the King’s attorney in 1754. A few months later he was chosen to fill the vacancy in the Williamsburg burgess created due to the death of Armistead Burwell. Unsplash Career

As a political leader, his biggest achievement was the signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence in September 1776. He had also actively participated in all those events that eventually led to the adoption of the declaration. Unsplash Major Works

He had a long and illustrious career as an educator. He had taught and mentored several young men who went on to become prominent personalities. His most notable students include Thomas Jefferson, Henry Clay, James Monroe, and John Marshall. Unsplash Major Works

Information	Detail
Birthday	1726
Died on	June 8, 18061726
Nationality	American
Famous	Professor, Leaders, Political Leaders
Spouses	Ann Wythe, Elizabeth Taliaferro
Birth Place	Hampton, Virginia
Gender	Male
Father	M
Mother	Margaret Walker
Born in	Hampton, Virginia
Famous as	American professor
Died at Age	80

George Wythe

American

1726

Biography

Personal Details

Hampton, Virginia