Samuel Hardy

From Wythepedia: The George Wythe Encyclopedia
Revision as of 12:37, 13 March 2016 by Gwsweeney (talk | contribs)

Jump to: navigation, search
Samuel Hardy
SamuelHardy.jpg
Member of the State House of Delegates (VA)
In office
1778, 1780-1782
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Member of the Executive Council
In office
June 1781
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
In office
May 29, 1782-October 11, 1782
Preceded by
Succeeded by
Member of the Continental Congress
In office
1783-1785
Preceded by
Succeeded by
'
In office
Preceded by
Succeeded by
'
In office
Preceded by
Succeeded by
'
In office
Preceded by
Succeeded by
{{{8thoffice}}}
In office
{{{8thofficedates}}}
Preceded by {{{8thofficepreceded}}}
Succeeded by {{{8thofficesucceeded}}}
Personal details
Born ca. 1758
  Isle of Wight County, Virginia
Died October 17, 1785
  Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Resting place Christ Church Burial Ground, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Residence(s)
Education The College of William & Mary
Alma mater
Profession Lawyer, politician (congressman)
Spouse(s)
Relatives
Known for
Signature [[File:|left|200px]]

Samuel Hardy was born sometime around the year 1758 in Isle of Wight County, Virginia, the son of Richard Hardy and a descendant of George Hardy, a representative of Virginia in the House of Burgesses from 1642-1652.[1]

After completing his preparatory studies, Hardy attended the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. While in Williamsburg, Hardy studied law under George Wythe.[2] During his time as a student, Hardy actually served as a member of the State House of Delegates in 1778, and from 1780 to 1782.[3]

After completing his studies and gaining admittance to the bar, Hardy commenced his legal practice and became a well-known lawyer. [4] While practicing law, Hardy also continued his service as a Delegate for the Commonwealth of Virginia, and served on the executive council. From May to October of 1782, he served as the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. Around the age of 25, Hardy won election to the Continental Congress, where he served from 1783 to 1785. However, Hardy suffered from failing health, and died before reaching his thirtieth birthday while attending the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was interred in Philadelphia in Christ Church Cemetery.[5]

Shortly after Hardy's death, the General Assembly named a county in his honor (the county of Hardy is now located in West Virginia). Alexander Hamilton was a good friend of Hardy, and wrote "a poetical tribute to his memory."[6] However, the authorship of this "Elegy on the Death of the Honorable Samuel Hardy," ca. 1785, has been a subject of much debate.[7]

See also

References

  1. Edited Appletons Encyclopedia, s.v. (Virtualology: 2001) accessed August 26, 2015.
  2. Biographical Dictionary of the United States Congress: 1774-Present, s.v. "Hardy, Samuel, (ca. 1758-1785)," accessed August 31, 2015; Mark T. Flahive, "The Origins of the American Law School," American Bar Association Journal, Vol. 64 (1978), pp. 1868-1872, 1869, accessed August 31, 2015.
  3. Ibid.
  4. Flahive, "The Origins of the American Law School."
  5. Biographical Dictionary of the United States Congress: 1774-Present, "Hardy, Samuel, (ca. 1758-1785);" Robert M. Hughes, "Thomas Jefferson and the College of William and Mary," The Phi Beta Kappa Key, Vol. 6, No. 10 (January, 1928), pp. 635-644.
  6. Edited Appletons Encyclopedia.
  7. R. A. Brock, ed., Proceedings of the Virginia Historical Society At The Annual Meeting Held December 21-22, 1891, With Historical Papers Read on the Occasion, and Others (Richmond, VA: The Virginia Historical Society, 1892), 151-153.