Richard Bland

Unknown Delegate of Virginia

Congresses Served

May 6, 1710 (66 years old)

Birthday

October 26, 1776

Death

Founding Father, planter, lawyer, and politician from Virginia
Served 34 years in the Virginia General Assembly
Influential in colonial politics, particularly in the last quarter of the colonial period
Wrote “An Inquiry into the Rights of the British Colonies” in 1766, challenging British Parliament’s right to tax colonists without their consent
Signed the Continental Association in opposition to the Intolerable Acts
Retired from the Second Continental Congress due to age but remained active in Virginia politics
Helped draft Virginia’s state constitution in 1776 and was named to Virginia’s House of Delegates
Born into a prominent family with deep roots in Virginia’s colonial leadership
Attended the College of William & Mary and Edinburgh University, studied law but never practiced publicly
Inherited and managed a plantation using enslaved labor
Early political career included serving as a justice of the peace and militia officer before being elected to the House of Burgesses
Published pamphlets and letters on various issues, including early criticism of slavery and colonial rights
Opposed to taking up arms against Britain initially, believing in the possibility of reconciliation
Married three times and had twelve children with his first wife
Died in Williamsburg, Virginia, and was buried at his plantation
Legacy includes Bland County and Richard Bland College named in his honor