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==Early life==

==Early life==

George Wythe was born in Elizabeth County (Hampton) Virginia to Thomas and Margaret Wythe, a wealthy agricultural family. When George was three-years old his father died. He was tutored by his mother until her death when George was a teenager. He became well versed in the Latin and Greek languages, and made commendable achievements in several of the sciences.<ref name="GW">[http://georgewythe.net George Wythe, Georgewythe.net]</ref>  His parent's inheritence was now the property of his eldest brother, who took little interest in George. George went to William & Mary College but dropped out when he could no longer afford schooling. He would study law at the office of a Stephen Dewey. Wythe was admitted to the Virginian Bar at the age of twenty. In 1746, he was appointed clerk to the Committee which formed the rules of conduct and elections in the House of Burgesses. He would be appointed Attorney General by the Royal Governor. In 1755, Wythe was elected to represent Williamsburg at the House of Burgesses. His brother died that same year and he inherited the family farm. Also in 1755, he married Elizabeth Taliaferro of considerable wealth.

George Wythe was born in Elizabeth County (Hampton) Virginia to Thomas and Margaret Wythe, a wealthy agricultural family. When George was three-years old his father died. He was tutored by his mother until her death when George was a teenager. He became well versed in the Latin and Greek languages, and made commendable achievements in several of the sciences.<ref name="GW">[http://georgewythe.net George Wythe, Georgewythe.net]</ref>  His parent's inheritance was now the property of his eldest brother, who took little interest in George. George went to William & Mary College but dropped out when he could no longer afford schooling. He would study law at the office of a Stephen Dewey. Wythe was admitted to the Virginian Bar at the age of twenty. In 1746, he was appointed clerk to the Committee which formed the rules of conduct and elections in the House of Burgesses. He would be appointed Attorney General by the Royal Governor. In 1755, Wythe was elected to represent Williamsburg at the House of Burgesses. His brother died that same year and he inherited the family farm. Also in 1755, he married Elizabeth Taliaferro of considerable wealth.

In 1761, his most valuable contribution to the new nation was his involvement in education.<ref name="USHistory" /> He was elected the first Professor of Law to the Board of Visitors at the College of William and Mary for nearly twenty-years. His students included [[Thomas Jefferson]], [[Henry Clay]], [[James Monroe]], [[John Marshall]], and several dozen other distinguished public servants.

In 1761, his most valuable contribution to the new nation was his involvement in education.<ref name="USHistory" /> He was elected the first Professor of Law to the Board of Visitors at the College of William and Mary for nearly twenty-years. His students included [[Thomas Jefferson]], [[Henry Clay]], [[James Monroe]], [[John Marshall]], and several dozen other distinguished public servants.

==Death==

==Death==

Later in his life, George Wythe became an abolitionist and this contributed directly to his untimely death, Wythe freed all his slaves and provided them a means of support until they were able to support themselves.  His grandnephew, George Wythe Sweeny, the chief beneficiary of his will schemed to to enlarge his own share by poisoning slaves. Subsequently, Wythe apparently drank some coffee that had been laced with arsenic. Wythe died in Richmond, Virginia.  Sweeny was tried for his crime and he was acquitted.<ref name="GW" /> George Wythe had willed all his books to President Jefferson. His grave is in the yard of St. John's Episcopal Church in Richmond.

Later in his life, George Wythe became an abolitionist and this contributed directly to his untimely death, Wythe freed all his slaves and provided them a means of support until they were able to support themselves.  His grandnephew, George Wythe Sweeny, the chief beneficiary of his will schemed to enlarge his own share by poisoning slaves. Subsequently, Wythe apparently drank some coffee that had been laced with arsenic. Wythe died in Richmond, Virginia.  Sweeny was tried for his crime and he was acquitted.<ref name="GW" /> George Wythe had willed all his books to President Jefferson. His grave is in the yard of St. John's Episcopal Church in Richmond.

==Writings==

==Writings==