William Wirt Henry facts for kids

William Wirt Henry (born February 14, 1831 – died December 5, 1900) was an important person from Virginia. He was a lawyer, a politician, and a historian. He wrote a famous book about his grandfather, Patrick Henry, who was a hero of the American Revolution. William Wirt Henry also served in Virginia's state government and led several important groups for lawyers and historians.

Early Life and Career

William Wirt Henry was born in Charlotte County, Virginia, on February 14, 1831. He studied at the University of Virginia. After finishing his studies, he became a lawyer in 1853.

During the American Civil War, he fought for the Southern states in the Confederate Army. After the war ended, he moved his law practice to Richmond, Virginia, in 1873. He became very good at arguing cases in higher courts.

Public Service and Leadership

William Wirt Henry was elected to serve in Virginia's state government. He was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates for two terms. He also served one term in the Senate of Virginia.

He helped start a group called the Virginia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. This group was for people whose ancestors fought in the American Revolution. William Wirt Henry was the first president of this society from 1890 to 1897.

Historian and Writer

William Wirt Henry was also a respected historian. He was the president of the American Historical Association in 1891. This is a big group for historians in the United States. He also led the Virginia Historical Society from 1891 to 1892.

His most famous work was a three-book series about his grandfather, Patrick Henry. The first book, titled Patrick Henry: Life, Correspondence and Speeches, was published in 1891. He spent a lot of time collecting information and writing these books.

Henry also wrote about famous court cases, like those involving Aaron Burr and Jefferson Davis. He wrote well-known articles about important historical figures such as Captain John Smith and Sir Walter Raleigh. In 1893, he became a member of the American Antiquarian Society, a group that studies old things.

Legal Career and Honors

William Wirt Henry was a leader in the legal field too. He served as president of The Virginia Bar Association from 1896 to 1897. He was also a vice-president of the American Bar Association, which is a national group for lawyers. When he passed away, this group included a notice about his death in their yearly report.

He received special awards from two well-known universities. Both the College of William & Mary and Washington and Lee University gave him honorary law degrees. These degrees recognized his important contributions to the law.