William Byrd II  William Byrd II (March 28, 1674August 26, 1744) was an American planter and author from Charles City County in colonial Virginia. He is considered the founder of Richmond, Virginia. Byrd's life showed aspects of both British colonial gentry and an emerging American identity. His education included the classics, apprenticeship with London global business agents, and legal studies. He was admitted to the bar and served for years as Virginia Colony's official agent in London where he opposed increasing the power of royal governors. A member of the Royal Society, he was an early advocate of smallpox inoculation. In spite – or perhaps because – of his background, Byrd treated the enslaved people in his household appallingly and was a renowned philanderer. His exploits are captured in his diary, which is notable for its openness on matters of sex. Upon his return to Virginia, Byrd expanded his plantation holdings, was elected to the House of Burgesses, and served on Virginia Governor's Council, also known as Virginia's Council of State (the Upper House of the colonial legislature), from 1709 until his death in 1744. He commanded county militias and led surveying expeditions along the Virginia-Carolina border and the Northern Neck. His enterprises included promoting Swiss settlement in mountainous southwest Virginia and iron mining ventures in Germanna and Fredericksburg. William Byrd II was born in Henrico County, Colony of Virginia. His father, Colonel William Byrd I, had come from England to settle in Virginia. When he was seven years old, his father sent him to London for schooling. He was educated at Felsted School in Essex, England, for the law. While there, Byrd became engrained in London's society and politics. Not only did he study law, but in 1696, at age 22, he was also elected by friends in the aristocracy as a Fellow in the Royal Society. He also served as a representative of Virginia in London. He was a member of the King's Counsel for 37 years. Byrd returned to Richmond upon the death of his father in 1705. He had a very large inheritance, and was now required to run the estate. He returned to the Colony following his schooling and lived in lordly estate on Westover Plantation. Upon Byrd's return to Virginia in 1705, he found that the colonies lacked the social vibrancy that he had found in England. Therefore, he began his search for a wife; his goal was not only to find companionship, but to increase his wealth.