Lempriere's Universal Biography

Article by John Lemprière, in his Universal Biography of eminent persons, 1825.

Article text

Page 834

WYT

WYTHE, George, chancellor of Virginia, was born in the county of Elizabeth city, in 1726. His mother possessed uncommon strength of mind and knowledge, and taught him the Latin language. His education in other ref1ects was defective. At the age of thirty he abandoned a course of dissipation to which he had addicted himself, and devoted his attention to the acquisition or knowledge. After accomplishing himself in the languages and sciences, he studied law, and commenced its practice. At the opening of the revolution, he, with Pendleton, Henry, Mason, and the Lees, espoused the cause of liberty, and was one of the ablest of the distinguished men who were the leaders in Virginia during that struggle. He was for some time speaker of the house of burgesses, and in 1775 elected a member of congress, and signed the declaration of independence. In 1776 he was appointed one of the committee to revise the laws of Virginia, and had a principal share in preparing the code which with some alterations was adopted in 1779. he was after appointed one of the three judges of the high court of chancery, and afterwards sole chancellor, in which station he continued till his death. He was a member of the convention of Virginia which considered the constitution of the United States, and exerted his influence to obtain its adoption; and be was twice one of the electors of president and vice-president of the United States. He died in 1806, on the 8th of June; it was supposed by poison. Chancellor Wythe was one of the most eminent of the great statesmen and jurists among contemporaries. His mind was uncommonly vigorous and rapid in its perceptions, his knowledge of law profound, his uprightness and impartiality pre-eminent, and his patriotism ardent. He was unambitious of wealth, plain and frugal in his method of life, and condescending and amiable in his manners.

☞ L.

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