On June 8, 1806, George Wythe, one of the great men of revolutionary Virginia, died at age 80. He was poisoned.
Wythe was a citizen of the Enlightenment, deeply interested in politics and history and science. Among his law students were Thomas Jefferson and future Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall.
He was also a dedicated public servant, with stints as attorney general, in the House of Burgesses, and as a delegate to the Continental Congress. When it came time to sign the Declaration of Independence, Wythe’s fellow Virginia delegates paid him the honor of leaving the top space open so his name would be listed first.
“No man ever left behind him a character more venerated,” wrote Jefferson. “His virtue was of the purest tint; his integrity inflexible, and his justice exact; of warm patriotism, and, devoted as he was to liberty, and the natural and equal rights of man, he might truly be called the Cato of his country.”
Don’t miss a visit to his home on Palace Green, where you can learn more about Mr. Wythe and his world.
Chris Hull, who portrays George Wythe in Colonial Williamsburg does an absolutely wonderful job. We were most fortunate a few years ago to see his program “I am Murdered” which had the finest and most moving acting we have seen in CW. Mr. Hull in many ways embodies much of what made George Wythe so vital. My wife and I have been able to converse a bit with him after programs and he has many of the same passions, especially for education, for learning. He is an enthusiastic believer in the best aspects of CW’s mission. He is devoted to doing his part to elevate the level of thought among those who come to CW regarding topics such as the role of government, the source of it’s power and the history of the development of the theories of those things. He doesn’t attempt to force specific political ideology, but does make visitors think. He and the lessons of the man he portrays is one of the most essential reasons my wife and I acquire an annual pass each year and try to vacation there as many days as we can.
We hope Mr. Hull continues many more years in his endeavors. We hope he can develop more programs. We especially love going to the Hennage and seeing him perform.
Poisoned by his nephew, and his free African American cook not permitted to testify - this is horrid on so many levels.