Norborne Berkeley, 4th Baron Botetourt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Lord Botetourt
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| Colonial Governor of Virginia | |
| In office 1768–1770 |
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| Preceded by | Francis Fauquier |
| Succeeded by | William Nelson |
| Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire | |
| In office 1762–1766 |
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| Preceded by | John Howe, 2nd Baron Chedworth |
| Succeeded by | Frederick Berkeley, 5th Earl of Berkeley |
| Member of Parliament for Gloucestershire |
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| In office 1741–1763 |
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| Preceded by | Benjamin Bathurst |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Tracy |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Norborne Berkeley
c. 1717 Stoke Gifford, Gloucestershire, England |
| Died | 15 October 1770 (aged 52-3) Governor's Palace, Williamsburg, Virginia |
| Resting place | Wren Chapel, Williamsburg, Virginia |
| Political party | Tory |
| Children | Charles |
| Alma mater | Westminster School |
Norborne Berkeley, 4th Baron Botetourt (born around 1717 – died October 15, 1770), was an important British official. He served as a member of parliament and later as the royal governor of the colony of Virginia. He was governor from 1768 until his death in 1770.
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Norborne Berkeley's Early Life
Norborne Berkeley was born in England around 1717. He was the only son of John Symes Berkeley. His family lived in Stoke Gifford, Gloucestershire. The Berkeley family had owned land there since 1337.
In 1726, Norborne Berkeley started attending Westminster School. This was a famous school in London.
Stoke Park and His Home
When his father passed away in 1736, Norborne inherited Stoke Park. This was his family's estate. He spent time and money making the house and gardens look better. He worked with a designer named Thomas Wright to improve the property in the 1740s and 1750s. The house is now known as the Dower House.
His Political Career
Norborne Berkeley began his political journey in 1741. He was elected to the House of Commons. This is a part of the British Parliament. He represented Gloucestershire until 1763.
He was a strong supporter of the Tory political group. When King George III became king in 1760, Berkeley's career got a big boost. He was given special roles in the royal court.
In 1764, he successfully claimed the title of Baron Botetourt. This title had not been used for nearly 400 years. He proved he was a direct descendant of an earlier Baron Botetourt. This allowed him to join the House of Lords, another part of the British Parliament.
In 1768, he was appointed Governor of Virginia. This was a very important job in the American colonies.
His Time as Governor and Death
Lord Botetourt moved to Williamsburg, the capital of Virginia. He served as governor for two years. He died in Williamsburg on October 15, 1770, after being sick for several weeks.
Lord Botetourt never married and did not have any children. After his death, Stoke Park went to his sister, Elizabeth. She continued to improve the estate.
Statues Honoring Lord Botetourt
After his death, people wanted to remember Lord Botetourt. A statue of him was placed in the Capitol building in Williamsburg in 1773. Williamsburg was the capital of Virginia at that time.
Later, in 1801, the statue was moved to the College of William and Mary. It stayed there for many years. During the Civil War, it was moved for safety. In 1966, it was placed inside the new Swem Library at the college.
In 1993, a new bronze statue of Lord Botetourt was made. It was placed outside the Wren Building at the College of William and Mary. This new statue stands where the original one used to be.
Lord Botetourt's Legacy
Many places and things were named after Lord Botetourt. This shows how important he was to the colony of Virginia.
- Botetourt County, Virginia, was named in his honor.
- Historians believe Berkeley County, West Virginia, and Berkeley Springs might also be named after him.
- Lord Botetourt High School in Daleville, Virginia, is named for him.
- The Botetourt Dorm Complex at the College of William and Mary is also named after him.
- An elementary school in Gloucester County, Virginia, carries his name.
- Streets in Richmond, Virginia and Norfolk, Virginia are named in his honor.
