William Byrd II William Byrd II (1674 – 1774)(1674 – 1774)

Michael Bazarov, Esther Li, Michael Bazarov, Esther Li, Christian McGuirk, John TongChristian McGuirk, John Tong

BiographyBiography

Born on March 28, 1674 at Born on March 28, 1674 at Westover, VirginiaWestover, Virginia

Son of plantation ownersSon of plantation owners Went to England at age 2Went to England at age 2 Studied law in LondonStudied law in London Elected to the Royal Elected to the Royal

Society for his Society for his accomplishments in accomplishments in improving natural improving natural knowledgeknowledge

Agent to the Virginia Agent to the Virginia House of BurgessesHouse of Burgesses

Went back to Virginia upon Went back to Virginia upon the death of his father and the death of his father and got marriedgot married

Biography cont. Biography cont.

Age 35: began Secret Age 35: began Secret DiaryDiary

Wife died of smallpoxWife died of smallpox Age 54 – 62: Age 54 – 62:

Surveyor + wrote Surveyor + wrote journaljournal

Westover Library – Westover Library – collected 4,000 collected 4,000 volumesvolumes

President of Virginia President of Virginia Council of StateCouncil of State

Died August 26, 1744Died August 26, 1744

Reflection of Time Reflection of Time (intro.)(intro.)

Westward Westward expansion expansion

Religious impact Religious impact

WB – “modern” WB – “modern” vs. the devoted vs. the devoted PuritansPuritans

The different The different nature of the nature of the societiessocieties

Literary Contributions Literary Contributions – Titles– Titles

The Secret Diary The Secret Diary (in (in code)code)– – secular lifesecular life

A Discourse Concerning A Discourse Concerning the Plaguethe Plague

The Westover ManuscriptsThe Westover Manuscripts A History of the Dividing A History of the Dividing

Line Line – Virginia to North – Virginia to North Carolina, New EnglandCarolina, New England

A Journey to the Land of A Journey to the Land of EdenEden

A Progress to the MinesA Progress to the Mines In modern languageIn modern language

ExcerptExcerpt

Literary Impact on Literary Impact on British North American British North American ColoniesColonies

The Histories of the Dividing Line The Histories of the Dividing Line Betwixt Virginia and North CarolinaBetwixt Virginia and North Carolina– Negative Southern stereotypeNegative Southern stereotype– Positive Native American Positive Native American

depictiondepiction Assimilated into white societyAssimilated into white society

– Nature is a source of great Nature is a source of great bountybounty

Inspired settling of the WestInspired settling of the West A Discourse Concerning the PlagueA Discourse Concerning the Plague

– Proposed use of inoculation for Proposed use of inoculation for smallpox defensesmallpox defense

– Led to successful development of Led to successful development of vaccinevaccine

Physical ImpactsPhysical Impacts

Westover estates Westover estates Richmond Richmond

Surveyed dividing Surveyed dividing line between line between Virginia and North Virginia and North CarolinaCarolina

Observed the New Observed the New England colonies England colonies and the Indiansand the Indians