Difference between revisions of "William Munford"

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William Munford (1775-1825), legislator and court reporter, was born in Mecklenburg County, Virginia to Colonel Robert and Anne Munford.<ref>Theodore S. Cox, "Munford, William" in vol. VII, part 1 of ''Dictionary of American Biography'' ed. Dumas Malone(New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1962),326.</ref> He began his education at the grammar school of the College of William & Mary, eventually entering the college itself.<ref>Ibid.</ref> After Munford's father’s death, [[George Wythe]] provided for his continued education.<ref>Ibid</ref> Without Wythe’s aid, Munford likely would not have been able to continue his studies at the College.<ref>Ibid.</ref> Under Wythe, Munford developed his life-long appreciation for both the classics and the law.<ref>Ibid.</ref> Munford considered Wythe his “great resource” and believed that “such a man as he casts light upon all around him.”<ref>Lyon G. Tyler, “Glimpses of Old College Life,” ''William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine'' 8, no. 3 (Jan. 1900), 153-154.</ref> Munford completed his legal education under [[St. George Tucker]] who succeeded Wythe as [[Professor of Law and Police]] after Wythe resigned in 1790.<ref>Ibid., 156</ref> However his remained close to George Wythe; at Wythe’s funeral, Munford gave a [[Oration, Pronounced at the Funeral of George Wythe|eulogy]] considered by those present to be an effective tribute.<ref>Oscar Lane Shewmake, ''[http://scholarship.law.wm.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2420&context=facpubs The Honourable George Wythe: Teacher, Lawyer, Jurist, Statesman: An Address Delivered Before the Wythe Law Club of the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, Dec. 18, 1921.]'' Richmond, Va., 1950. </ref><br />
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William Munford (1775-1825), legislator and court reporter, was born in Mecklenburg County, Virginia to Colonel Robert and Anne Munford.<ref>Theodore S. Cox, "Munford, William" in vol. VII, part 1 of ''Dictionary of American Biography'' ed. Dumas Malone(New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1962),326.</ref> He began his education at the grammar school of the College of William & Mary, eventually entering the college itself.<ref>Ibid.</ref> After Munford's father’s death, [[George Wythe]] provided for his continued education.<ref>Ibid</ref> Without Wythe’s aid, Munford likely would not have been able to continue his studies at the College.<ref>Ibid.</ref> Under [[Wythe the Teacher|Wythe's teaching]], Munford developed his life-long appreciation for both the classics and the law.<ref>Ibid.</ref> Munford considered Wythe his “great resource” and believed that “such a man as he casts light upon all around him.”<ref>Lyon G. Tyler, “Glimpses of Old College Life,” ''William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine'' 8, no. 3 (Jan. 1900), 153-154.</ref> Munford completed his legal education under [[St. George Tucker]] who succeeded Wythe as [[Professor of Law and Police]] after Wythe resigned in 1790.<ref>Ibid., 156</ref> However his remained close to George Wythe; at Wythe’s funeral, Munford gave a [[Oration, Pronounced at the Funeral of George Wythe|eulogy]] considered by those present to be an effective tribute.<ref>Oscar Lane Shewmake, ''[http://scholarship.law.wm.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2420&context=facpubs The Honourable George Wythe: Teacher, Lawyer, Jurist, Statesman: An Address Delivered Before the Wythe Law Club of the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, Dec. 18, 1921.]'' Richmond, Va., 1950. </ref><br />
 
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After completing his legal studies, Munford entered politics, representing Mecklenburg County from 1797-1798.<ref>Theodore S. Cox, "Munford, William," 326.</ref> In 1800, he was elected to the state Senate.<ref>Ibid.</ref> In 1811, Munford was made Clerk of the House of Delegates, a position he held until his death.<ref>Ibid.</ref> In addition to his political activities, Munford compiled reports of the Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.<ref>Ibid.</ref> His efforts began at first in collaboration with William W. Hening covering the years 1806-1810, and later as a solitary enterprise from 1810-1821. <ref>Ibid.</ref><br />
 
After completing his legal studies, Munford entered politics, representing Mecklenburg County from 1797-1798.<ref>Theodore S. Cox, "Munford, William," 326.</ref> In 1800, he was elected to the state Senate.<ref>Ibid.</ref> In 1811, Munford was made Clerk of the House of Delegates, a position he held until his death.<ref>Ibid.</ref> In addition to his political activities, Munford compiled reports of the Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.<ref>Ibid.</ref> His efforts began at first in collaboration with William W. Hening covering the years 1806-1810, and later as a solitary enterprise from 1810-1821. <ref>Ibid.</ref><br />
 
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Munford is best known for his contributions to the classics, rather than the law.<ref>Ibid.</ref> In 1798 he published a compilation of poems and translated classical writings and tragedies.<ref>Ibid., 326-27</ref> Throughout his life, he worked on crafting a definitive translation of Homer’s ''Iliad'' because he believed that existing English translations did not capture the magnificence of the original.<ref>Ibid., 327</ref> In 1846, twenty-one years after Munford's death, his translation was published, and was considered a significant achievement in American scholarship.<ref>Ibid.</ref>
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Munford is best known for his contributions to the classics, rather than the law.<ref>Ibid.</ref> In 1798 he published a compilation of poems, and he translated classical writings and tragedies.<ref>Ibid., 326-27</ref> Throughout his life, he worked on crafting a definitive translation of Homer’s ''Iliad'' because he believed that existing English translations did not capture the magnificence of the original.<ref>Ibid., 327</ref> In 1846, twenty-one years after Munford's death, his translation was published, and was considered a significant achievement in American scholarship.<ref>Ibid.</ref>
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
 
[[Oration, Pronounced at the Funeral of George Wythe]]
 
[[Oration, Pronounced at the Funeral of George Wythe]]
 +
[[Wythe the Teacher]]
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
<references/>
 
<references/>
 
[[Category: Wythe's Students]]
 
[[Category: Wythe's Students]]

Revision as of 19:35, 6 May 2014

{{{honorific}}}
William Munford
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Virginia Council of State
In office
1806-1811
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State Senator, Virginia
In office
1802-1806
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Representative for Mecklenburg County, Virginia House of Delegates
In office
1798-1802
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Personal details
Born August 15, 1775
  Richland, Mecklenburg County, Virginia
Died June 21, 1825
  Richmond, Virginia
Resting place
Residence(s)
Education
Alma mater College of William & Mary
Profession Law reporter
Politician
Spouse(s) Sarah Radford
Relatives
Known for Poems, and Compositions in Prose on Several Occasions (1798)
Signature [[File:{{{signature}}}|left|200px]]


William Munford (1775-1825), legislator and court reporter, was born in Mecklenburg County, Virginia to Colonel Robert and Anne Munford.[1] He began his education at the grammar school of the College of William & Mary, eventually entering the college itself.[2] After Munford's father’s death, George Wythe provided for his continued education.[3] Without Wythe’s aid, Munford likely would not have been able to continue his studies at the College.[4] Under Wythe's teaching, Munford developed his life-long appreciation for both the classics and the law.[5] Munford considered Wythe his “great resource” and believed that “such a man as he casts light upon all around him.”[6] Munford completed his legal education under St. George Tucker who succeeded Wythe as Professor of Law and Police after Wythe resigned in 1790.[7] However his remained close to George Wythe; at Wythe’s funeral, Munford gave a eulogy considered by those present to be an effective tribute.[8]

After completing his legal studies, Munford entered politics, representing Mecklenburg County from 1797-1798.[9] In 1800, he was elected to the state Senate.[10] In 1811, Munford was made Clerk of the House of Delegates, a position he held until his death.[11] In addition to his political activities, Munford compiled reports of the Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.[12] His efforts began at first in collaboration with William W. Hening covering the years 1806-1810, and later as a solitary enterprise from 1810-1821. [13]

Munford is best known for his contributions to the classics, rather than the law.[14] In 1798 he published a compilation of poems, and he translated classical writings and tragedies.[15] Throughout his life, he worked on crafting a definitive translation of Homer’s Iliad because he believed that existing English translations did not capture the magnificence of the original.[16] In 1846, twenty-one years after Munford's death, his translation was published, and was considered a significant achievement in American scholarship.[17]

See also

Oration, Pronounced at the Funeral of George Wythe Wythe the Teacher

References

  1. ↑ Theodore S. Cox, "Munford, William" in vol. VII, part 1 of Dictionary of American Biography ed. Dumas Malone(New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1962),326.
  2. ↑ Ibid.
  3. ↑ Ibid
  4. ↑ Ibid.
  5. ↑ Ibid.
  6. ↑ Lyon G. Tyler, “Glimpses of Old College Life,” William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine 8, no. 3 (Jan. 1900), 153-154.
  7. ↑ Ibid., 156
  8. ↑ Oscar Lane Shewmake, The Honourable George Wythe: Teacher, Lawyer, Jurist, Statesman: An Address Delivered Before the Wythe Law Club of the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, Dec. 18, 1921. Richmond, Va., 1950.
  9. ↑ Theodore S. Cox, "Munford, William," 326.
  10. ↑ Ibid.
  11. ↑ Ibid.
  12. ↑ Ibid.
  13. ↑ Ibid.
  14. ↑ Ibid.
  15. ↑ Ibid., 326-27
  16. ↑ Ibid., 327
  17. ↑ Ibid.
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