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William Byrd II (1674 – 1774). Michael Bazarove, Esther Li, Christian McGuik, John Tong. Biography [John Tong]. Born on March 28, 1674 at Westover, Virginia Son of plantation owners Went to England at age 2 Studied law in London
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William Byrd II (1674 – 1774) Michael Bazarove, Esther Li, Christian McGuik, John Tong
Biography [John Tong] • Born on March 28, 1674 at Westover, Virginia • Son of plantation owners • Went to England at age 2 • Studied law in London • Elected to the Royal Society for his accomplishments in improving natural knowledge • Agent to the Virginia House of Burgesses • Went back to Virginia upon the death of his father and got married
Biolography cont. [Esther] • Age 35: began Secret Diary • Wife died of smallpox • Age 54 – 62: Surveyor + wrote journal • Westover Library – collected 4,000 volumes • President of Virginia Council of State • Died August 26, 1744
Reflection of Time [Esther] • Westward expansion • Religious impact WB – “modern” vs. the devoted Puritans • The different nature of the societies
Literary Contributions – Titles [Esther] • The Secret Diary (in code)– secular life • A Discourse Concerning the Plague The Westover Manuscripts • A History of the Dividing Line – Virginia to North Carolina, New England • A Journey to the Land of Eden • A Progress to the Mines In modern language
Literary Impact on British North American Colonies [John McGuirk] • The Histories of the Dividing Line Betwixt Virginia and North Carolina • Negative Southern stereotype • Positive Native American depiction • Assimilated into white society • Nature is a source of great bounty • Inspired settling of the West • A Discourse Concerning the Plague • Proposed use of inoculation for smallpox defense • Led to successful development of vaccine
Physical Impacts [John McGuirk] • Westover estates Richmond • Surveyed dividing line between Virginia and North Carolina • Observed the New England colonies and the Indians