===House of Burgesses Clerk (1748)===
Beginning in 1699, Williamsburg became the capital of colonial Virginia.<ref>Gruber, C. K. E. (2021, February 17). ''Williamsburg during the Colonial Period''. Encyclopedia Virginia. https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/williamsburg-during-the-colonial-period/</ref> Located in Williamsburg, the House of Burgesses met irregularly and sought to imitate the British provincial system and royal hierarchy. <ref>Hemphill, W. E. (1937). ''George Wythe the Colonial Briton''. University of Virginia. pg 53.</ref> George Wythe was appointed October 28, 1748 to clerk to the "largest and most important standing committees."<ref>Ibid pg 53.</ref> He served on "Privileges and Elections" and "Propositions and Grievances."<ref>Ibid pg 54.</ref> Serving as a representative of one’s county in the House of Burgesses was "ambition’s chief point of vantage."<ref>Ibid pg 53.</ref> During this time, Wythe’s job included keeping the minutes of the proceedings of these committees. <ref>Ibid pg 54.</ref> At the young age of twenty-two, his time in the House of Burgesses served as an educational endeavor for Wythe in colonial legislation.<ref>Ibid pg 54.</ref> It also provided Wythe the opportunity to "rub shoulders" with some of the most influential men in the colonies at that time.<ref>Ibid pg 54.</ref> In 1752, Wythe was reappointed clerk for the "Privileges and Elections" and "Propositions and Grievances" committees. <ref>Ibid pg 57.</ref>

===Interim Attorney General (1754)===
The position of Attorney General was considered more prestigious than his seat in the House of Burgesses. Wythe was first appointed Acting, or Interim, Attorney General, by Lieutenant Governor Robert Dinwiddie in January of 1754, and served for about one year.<ref>Virginia House of Delegates Clerks Office. (n.d.). House history. https://history.house.virginia.gov/members/2394#:~:text=Acting%20Attorney%20General%20of%20Virginia,Francis%20Fauquier%20sometime%20shortly%20after</ref> During his time as Interim Attorney General, Wythe was involved in many conflicts between the House of Burgesses and the Royal Government.<ref>Hemphill, W. E. (1937). ''George Wythe the Colonial Briton''. University of Virginia. pg 62.</ref> The first dispute Wythe became wrapped up in was the Pistol Fee Crisis of 1753-1754.<ref>Ibid pg. 62.</ref> The Pistole Fee Crisis was a dispute between the House of Burgesses and Lieutenant Governor Dinwiddie.<ref>Olson, C. A. G. (2020, December 7). ''Pistole fee dispute, the''. Encyclopedia Virginia. https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/pistole-fee-dispute-the/.</ref> Dinwiddie wanted to charge individuals a pistole for land patents that had previously been unenforced in Virginia.<ref>Ibid.</ref> A pistole was worth about 18 shillings at the time, which was about 6 days' wages for a skilled tradesman, according to the UK National Archive.<ref>The National Archives. (2024, February 13). ''Currency converter: 1270–2017''. Currency converter. https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/currency-converter/#currency-result.</ref> The controversy was so contentious that Dinwiddie and the House of Burgesses had to go before the Privy Council in London to argue their sides.<ref>Ibid.</ref> The Privy Council, unsurprisingly, sided with Dinwiddie’s pistole fee.<ref>Ibid.</ref> This crisis foreshadows future tax conflicts between the colonies and the Royal Government which would of course surface almost a decade later in 1765 with the Stamp Act.<ref>Ibid.</ref> Wythe only served as Attorney General for a year before he was forced to vacate the position in favor of reinstating Randolph who had believed when he left the position to go to London, it would only be temporary and his job would be waiting for him upon his return.<ref>Hemphill, W. E. (1937). ''George Wythe the Colonial Briton''. University of Virginia. pg 71.</ref> Wythe would take on the role of Acting Attorney General once more, for about six months between November of 1766 and June of 1767, appointed by Lieutenant Governor Francis Fauquier.<ref>Virginia House of Delegates Clerks Office. (n.d.). House history. https://history.house.virginia.gov/members/2394#:~:text=Acting%20Attorney%20General%20of%20Virginia,Francis%20Fauquier%20sometime%20shortly%20after</ref>

===Williamsburg Seat, House of Burgesses (1754-1756)===
At the age of 28, Wythe was lifted up from his position of clerk to serve in the Williamsburg Seat of the House of Burgess.<ref>Hemphill, W. E. (1937). ''George Wythe the Colonial Briton''. University of Virginia. pg 59.</ref> The French & Indian War began in May of 1754, so Wythe was immediately thrust into a wartime government.<ref>''French & Indian War Timeline: Lake George NY history''. The French & Indian War Society, Inc. (2020, March 3). https://www.frenchandindianwarsociety.org/timeline/.</ref> Wythe entered the Fourth Session of the House of Burgess (1752-1755).<ref>Hemphill, W. E. (1937). ''George Wythe the Colonial Briton''. University of Virginia. pg 60.</ref> During his time on the Burgess, Wythe worked on an appropriation to aid war efforts in the West.<ref>Ibid pg 61</ref> Wythe worked on a committee specially assigned to ensure the funds the House of Burgess given for the war effort was not exclusively for English use in the West, but that the allocated funds were helping serve the colonies' interests.<ref>Ibid pg 61</ref> Wythe was also appointed to serve on the "Privileges and Elections" subdivision, and the "Propositions and Grievances" subdivision during his time in the Williamsburg Seat.<ref>Ibid pg 62</ref> While these two subdivisions were familiar to him, Wythe was also appointed to serve on the "Courts of Justice," which was a new challenge.<ref>Ibid pg 62</ref>

===William & Mary Representative Seat, House of Burgesses (1758-1761)===
In 1756, George Wythe ran for the House of Burgesses seat in Elizabeth City County, where he was a notable landholder<ref>Kirtland, Robert B. (1986). ''[[George Wythe: Lawyer, Revolutionary, Judge]].'' New York: Garland Publishing, 76.</ref>, but he placed fourth, beaten by residents who held more political appeal than external landholders<ref>Hemphill, W. E. (1937). ''George Wythe the Colonial Briton''. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia, 79.</ref>. After the election, allegations of non-resident voting<ref>Miller, Elmer I. (1907). "The Legislature of the Province of Virginia: Its Internal Development." New York: The Columbia University Press, 75.</ref> and the use of alcohol in campaigning led to an inquiry into the election, chaired by none other than George Wythe himself<ref>Hemphill, W. E. (1937). ''George Wythe the Colonial Briton''. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia, 79-81.</ref>. Two years later, in 1758, Wythe only received a single vote for Elizabeth City County’s seat<ref>Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). ''George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty.'' Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 16.</ref>, but he returned to the House of Burgesses through another avenue. Since its founding in 1693, William and Mary’s faculty had been granted the right to send a representative to the House of Burgesses<ref>King William III and Queen Mary II. (1693). "Royal Charter of William and Mary." Swem Library. https://guides.libraries.wm.edu/wm/charter.</ref>, and they historically chose prominent lawyers for the role<ref>Tyler, Lyon Gardiner. (1907). "George Wythe" in ''Great American Lawyers,'' vol. 1. Philadelphia: The John C. Winston Company, 57.</ref>. In 1758, after the resignation of Peyton Randolph to take the Williamsburg Seat, the faculty chose George Wythe as their new representative<ref>Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). ''George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty.'' Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 16.</ref>.

Upon returning to the House, he swiftly regained his positions on the Committees of Privileges and Elections, Propositions and Grievances, and Courts of Justice, becoming the only legislator to serve on three standing committees<ref>Hemphill, W. E. (1937). ''George Wythe the Colonial Briton''. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia, 166-167.</ref>. Wythe returned to a government still in the midst of the French and Indian War, which imparted a significant workload upon the house. During the war effort, Wythe was directly involved in handling compensation requests by Virginians for their personal losses from the conflict<ref>Hemphill, W. E. (1937). ''George Wythe the Colonial Briton''. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia, 167-168.</ref>. In 1759, Wythe also joined the Committee of Correspondence, directing the activities of the colony’s representative in England, Edward Montague<ref>Tyler, Lyon Gardiner. (1907). "George Wythe" in ''Great American Lawyers,'' vol. 1. Philadelphia: The John C. Winston Company, 57-58.</ref>. He was also appointed to committees managing currency issued during the French and Indian War and regulating the silk industry in Virginia<ref>Shewmake, Oscar L. (1921). "The Honorable George Wythe: Teacher, Lawyer, Jurist, Statesman." William & Mary Faculty Publications, No. 1374, 27.</ref>. During this term, Wythe also contributed to the writing of four acts, including two on slavery, one on municipal boundaries, and one to promote inland navigation<ref>Hemphill, W. E. (1937). ''George Wythe the Colonial Briton''. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia, 168-169.</ref>.

===Elizabeth City County Seat, House of Burgesses (1761-1768)===
In 1761, Wythe stepped down from the William & Mary House seat and attempted another run for the Elizabeth City County seat<ref>Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). ''George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty.'' Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 22.</ref>. This time, Wythe was successful, placing first overall<ref>Hemphill, W. E. (1937). ''George Wythe the Colonial Briton''. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia, 170.</ref> and becoming one of Elizabeth City County’s two delegates, alongside William Wager<ref>Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). ''George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty.'' Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 22.</ref>. During the 1761 session, Wythe was appointed to a fourth standing committee: that of trade. After 1764, he was the only member of the House of Burgesses to serve on four of the five committees <ref>Hemphill, W. E. (1937). ''George Wythe the Colonial Briton''. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia, 171.</ref>. Following a 1763 act delisting colonial paper money as legal tender, Wythe participated in the drafting of a response to Governor Francis Fauquier, who asked why Virginia was not favoring creditors who used British sterling<ref>Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). ''George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty.'' Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 22.</ref>. Later in 1764, when the British Parliament made preparations to impose a Stamp Act on the colonies, Wythe was one of the first Burgesses to openly oppose the new British policy. Wythe argued that the political connection between Virginia and Britain ran through the king and not parliament, implying equal constituent sovereignty to other dominions of the crown such as the British mainland itself<ref>Tyler, Lyon Gardiner. (1907). "George Wythe" in ''Great American Lawyers,'' vol. 1. Philadelphia: The John C. Winston Company, 58-59.</ref>. However, Wythe did not support the resolutions of newer delegate Patrick Henry<ref>Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). ''George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty.'' Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 24.</ref>, who argued that only Virginia had the right to tax Virginians and angrily labeled his opponents “enemies of the colony” on the House floor<ref>Henry, Patrick. (1765). "Patrick Henry's Resolves Against the Stamp Act." Patrick Henry National Memorial. https://www.redhill.org/speeches-writings/patrick-henrys-resolutions-against-the-stamp-act/?srsltid=AfmBOopLg-gBqcK8wOMMSoMqean8OKf6z6LQj0twyX2HBXALuDp-vWXl.</ref>. Wythe’s opposition likely stemmed from their extreme presentation as much as disagreement on policy, and he continued to oppose the acts until Britain repealed them<ref>Hemphill, W. E. (1937). ''George Wythe the Colonial Briton''. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia, 191-215.</ref>. During the later years of his tenure in the House of Burgesses Wythe focused on drafting legislation related to land ownership<ref>Hemphill, W. E. (1937). ''George Wythe the Colonial Briton''. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia, 224-226.</ref>.

===Alderman (1768?-1772)===
The City of Williamsburg had a government consisting of a mayor, a recorder, an upper chamber of six aldermen, and a lower chamber of twelve common councilors<ref>"Williamsburg-The Old Colonial Capital." (1907, July). The William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, Vol. 16, No. 1, 16.</ref>. For an undetermined amount of time, George Wythe served as one of six aldermen for the City of Williamsburg, having been selected by the extant city government to fill a vacancy. He possibly served since as early as 1750, when he signed on record the oath of allegiance to the City, something required of sitting aldermen <ref>Walker, Leola O. (1967, Jan.). "Officials in the City Government of Colonial Williamsburg." The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 75, No. 1, 38-48.</ref>. He must have been an alderman by 1768, as this would have been required for his subsequent appointment to mayor in the same year<ref>Walker, Leola O. (1967, Jan.). "Officials in the City Government of Colonial Williamsburg." The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 75, No. 1, 36.</ref><ref>"Past Mayors & Governors." City of Williamsburg. https://www.williamsburgva.gov/573/Past-Mayors-Governors.</ref>. Although his specific activities as Alderman are unknown, he would have been responsible for the creation of city ordinances, the selection of new city government members in the event of a vacancy, and the organization of local fairs and markets<ref>"Williamsburg-The Old Colonial Capital." (1907, July). The William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, Vol. 16, No. 1, 16.</ref>. George Wythe served until 1772, when he resigned for unknown reasons<ref>Hemphill, W. E. (1937). ''George Wythe the Colonial Briton''. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia, 258.</ref> and was replaced by Dr. James Blair<ref>Goodwin, W.A.R. (1938). "George Wythe House." Department of Research and Record: Colonial Williamsburg, 11.</ref>.

===Mayor of Williamsburg (1768-1769)===
From his position as alderman, George Wythe was elected mayor by the other members of the city government<ref>Walker, Leola O. (1967, Jan.). "Officials in the City Government of Colonial Williamsburg." The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 75, No. 1, 36.</ref>, taking office on November 30th, 1768<ref>Hemphill, W. E. (1937). ''George Wythe the Colonial Briton''. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia, 250.</ref>. Wythe served a single term as mayor, until November of 1769<ref>"Past Mayors & Governors." City of Williamsburg. https://www.williamsburgva.gov/573/Past-Mayors-Governors.</ref>. As mayor, Wythe would have overseen major endeavors of the city in collaboration with the rest of the city government, including repair of streets, organization of events, and the creation of ordinances<ref>"Williamsburg-The Old Colonial Capital." (1907, July). The William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, Vol. 16, No. 1, 16.</ref>.

===Clerk of the House (1768-1775)===
After an unsuccessful bid to replace Peyton Randolph as Attorney General of Virginia<ref>Wythe, George. (1766, June 23). "George Wythe to Benjamin Franklin, 23 June 1766." National Archives. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Franklin/01-13-02-0112.</ref>, George Wythe was elected to be Clerk of the House in March of 1768, filling the vacancy left by the new Attorney General John Randolph<ref>Kukla, Jon. (1981). ''Speakers and Clerks of the Virginia House of Burgesses 1643-1776.'' Richmond, VA: Virginia State Library, 153. </ref>. Next to the Speaker, the Clerk of the House of Burgesses was the most significant office in the legislative body<ref>Sydnor, Charles S. (1952). ''Gentlemen Freeholders: Political Practices in Washington's Virginia.'' Williamsburg, VA: Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture, 96. </ref>. Alongside the standard roles of recording and maintaining records, the Clerk of the House of Burgesses presided over the election of the Speaker and could inform the Governor directly of proceedings within the House<ref>Pargellis, S. M. (1927, April). "The Procedure of the Virginia House of Burgesses." The William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, Vol. 7, No. 2, 76-81.</ref>. Wythe notably focused on elevating the standard of the office, ordering materials for the creation of bookplates<ref>Tyler, Lyon Gardiner. (1919). ''Tyler's Quarterly Historical and Genealogical Magazine.'' Richmond, VA: Richmond Press, 290.</ref> and a robe in the style of the British House of Commons<ref>Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). ''George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty.'' Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 26.</ref>. He also used the privileges of his office to peruse records from prior clerks, building a familiarity that he would draw on during his post-revolutionary career<ref>Kirtland, Robert B. (1986). ''[[George Wythe: Lawyer, Revolutionary, Judge]].'' New York: Garland Publishing, 78.</ref>.

Despite the fact that he could not be a sitting member of the House during his clerkship, Wythe continued to influence proceedings as an advisor to political leaders and novices in the legislature, especially as trans-Atlantic tensions rose<ref>Kirtland, Robert B. (1986). ''[[George Wythe: Lawyer, Revolutionary, Judge]].'' New York: Garland Publishing, 78.</ref><ref>Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). ''George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty.'' Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 26.</ref>. According to one apocryphal account<ref>Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). ''George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty.'' Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 26-27.</ref>, Wythe used his position as Clerk to intentionally delay the delivery of the House’s minutes to Governor Botetourt in May of 1769, preventing the governor from dissolving the legislature while they were drafting appeals of protest for King George III<ref>Tyler, Lyon Gardiner. (1907). "George Wythe" in ''Great American Lawyers,'' vol. 1. Philadelphia: The John C. Winston Company, 60.</ref>. Although Wythe’s direct participation in legislating was limited during this time, his name nevertheless appears as Clerk on several significant documents produced by the House of Burgesses during the leadup to the Revolution. For example, the Resolution Designating a Day of Fasting and Prayer, issued in May of 1774 to show solidarity with occupied Boston, was issued by Wythe<ref>"Resolution of the House of Burgesses Designating a Day of Fasting and Prayer." (1774 May 24). National Archives https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-01-02-0082.</ref>. He served as Clerk until June 1775, when Virginia’s colonial legislature dissolved for a final time, making Wythe the final Clerk of the House of Burgesses<ref>Kirtland, Robert B. (1986). ''[[George Wythe: Lawyer, Revolutionary, Judge]].'' New York: Garland Publishing, 78-79.</ref>.

===Delegate to the Second Continental Congress (1775-1776)===
In 1775, the year after the cessation of his clerkship and following the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, Wythe was among seven delegates elected to represent Virginia in the Continental Congress for the upcoming year. He earned the fifth most votes from the former Burgesses of any candidate, and ascended to the Continental Congress as a junior member <ref>Hemphill, W. E. (1937). ''George Wythe the Colonial Briton''. Charlottesville, VA: University of Virginia, 274.</ref>. Wythe traveled to Philadelphia with Peyton Randolph, Thomas Nelson, and their wives, arriving in early September of that year<ref>Kirtland, Robert B. (1986). ''[[George Wythe: Lawyer, Revolutionary, Judge]].'' New York: Garland Publishing, 92.</ref>. Although he did not speak often in Congress, he was an early advocate of independence<ref>Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). ''George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty.'' Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 30.</ref>. In one 1776 debate, Wythe questioned why the delegates were concerned about appearing as “dutiful subjects” and not simply “rebels,” and emphasized the need for free trade independent of Great Britain, a position eventually adopted by the Congress that April<ref>Montross, Lynn. (1970). ''The Reluctant Rebels: The Story of the Continental Congress 1774-1789.'' New York: Barnes & Noble, 119.</ref>. Wythe served on many committees in the Continental Congress, including one to increase gunpowder production and one which drafted a resolution encouraging the outfitting of privateers<ref>Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). ''George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty.'' Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 33.</ref>.

While in Philadelphia, Wythe had the opportunity to befriend notable Massachusetts delegate John Adams. Wythe helped explain to Adams confusing internal disputes within the Virginia delegation<ref>Adams, John. (1851). ''The Works of John Adams, Second President of the United States,'' vol. 3. Boston: Little, Brown, and Co., 23-24.</ref> and generally provided intellectual and legislative support to Adams when it came to independence. In fact, Adams credited a conversation he had with George Wythe for inspiring his 1776 essay “Thoughts on Government”<ref>Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). ''George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty.'' Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 34.</ref>, an early foray into the design of the new American government, which featured structural features such as a two-chambered legislative branch including a lower representative house<ref>Adams, John. (April 1776). "Thoughts on Government." National Archives. https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/06-04-02-0026-0004.</ref>.
As 1776 stretched on, Wythe hardened his stance on the colonies’ political future, advocating alongside John Adams and Henry Lee that a firm declaration of independence from the British Empire was imminently needed<ref>Montross, Lynn. (1970). ''The Reluctant Rebels: The Story of the Continental Congress 1774-1789.'' New York: Barnes & Noble, 149.</ref>. Although Wythe was an ardent supporter of independence, he missed the pivotal vote for independence while traveling to Virginia to participate in the formal creation of a new state government<ref>Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). ''George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty.'' Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 36.</ref>. He returned to Philadelphia in time to sign the Declaration of Independence<ref>Tyler, Lyon Gardiner. (1907). "George Wythe" in ''Great American Lawyers,'' vol. 1. Philadelphia: The John C. Winston Company, 62.</ref>, but soon afterwards returned permanently to Virginia to pursue matters of state government, despite having been elected to another term by Virginia’s legislators<ref>Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). ''George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty.'' Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 37.</ref>.

===Williamsburg Seat, House of Delegates (1776-1778)===
While George Wythe was serving in the Continental Congress, Edmund Pendleton “saved” Wythe the Williamsburg seat<ref>Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). ''George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty.'' Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 29-30.</ref> in the series of conventions in Virginia that would become the formal House of Delegates in October<ref>''Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia, 1777-1780'', vol. 1. (1827). Richmond, VA: Thomas W. White, 1-3.</ref>. He quickly became involved in an early attempt at revision of Virginia’s colonial law code, which the House of Delegates initiated in October. Wythe only arrived back from Philadelphia in January of 1777 and took a more moderate position on the revision process, hoping to preserve pivotal British statutes and expand upon them when needed<ref>Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). ''George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty.'' Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 38.</ref>.

After the end of his term as Speaker of the House in 1778, Wythe did not return to the House of Delegates, instead taking a prestigious judicial position in the High Court of Chancery in 1779<ref>Kirtland, Robert B. (1986). ''[[George Wythe: Lawyer, Revolutionary, Judge]].'' New York: Garland Publishing, 111.</ref>.

===Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates (1777-1778)===
In 1777, Edmund Pendleton, the first Speaker of the House of Delegates, was injured after falling from a horse, necessitating the election of a new speaker<ref>Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). ''George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty.'' Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 38.</ref>. Thomas Jefferson nominated George Wythe, who won election against Robert Carter Nicholas and Benjamin Harrison after two rounds on May 8th<ref>''Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia, 1777-1780'', vol. 1. (1827). Richmond, VA: Thomas W. White, 3-4.</ref>. Wythe stated that he was serving merely in the stead of Pendleton, but continued to hold the office after Pendleton’s recovery and return<ref>Kirtland, Robert B. (1986). ''[[George Wythe: Lawyer, Revolutionary, Judge]].'' New York: Garland Publishing, 103-104.</ref>. Wythe’s tenure as Speaker saw him oversee proceedings regarding the appointment of delegates to the Continental Congress<ref>''Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia, 1777-1780'', vol. 1. (1827). Richmond, VA: Thomas W. White, 22.</ref>, the passage of legislation penalizing army deserters<ref>''Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia, 1777-1780.'' (1827). Richmond, VA: Thomas W. White, 109.</ref>, and the funding of clothing for the state’s soldiers<ref>''Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia, 1777-1780.'' (1827). Richmond, VA: Thomas W. White, 52.</ref>. Among the last bills passed during Wythe’s tenure as Speaker was a bill to create the High Court of Chancery<ref>''Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia, 1777-1780'', vol. 1. (1827). Richmond, VA: Thomas W. White, 109.</ref>, which he would serve on soon thereafter. Wythe’s tenure as Speaker ended when the House of Delegates adjourned on January 24th, 1778<ref>''Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia, 1777-1780'', vol. 1. (1827). Richmond, VA: Thomas W. White, 134-137.</ref>, and he was replaced in May by Benjamin Harrison<ref>''Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia, 1777-1780'', vol. 2. (1827). Richmond, VA: Thomas W. White, 4.</ref>.

===Delegate to the Constitutional Convention (1787)===
After a series of negotiations in 1786 established a May 1787 convention, the Virginia General Assembly chose seven delegates to attend, including George Wythe. Despite concerns over the health of his wife Anne, Wythe travelled up the Chesapeake by ship and arrived in Philadelphia by mid-May<ref>Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). ''George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty.'' Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 64.</ref>. After the convention began in late May, Virginia’s delegation, Wythe included, was among the first of the states to push for a total rehaul of the Federal system, not merely a revision. During these early stages, Wythe wrote to Jefferson during the conference asking for his thoughts on potential changes to the national government, but Jefferson was unable to respond in time while abroad<ref>Kirtland, Robert B. (1986). ''[[George Wythe: Lawyer, Revolutionary, Judge]].'' New York: Garland Publishing, 123-124.</ref>. At the onset of the convention, he chaired the Rules Committee to establish procedures for the upcoming debates<ref>Munson, Suzanne Harman. (May 25, 2021). "George Wythe of Virginia: Continental Congress Delegate, Judge, Professor of Law, and Declaration of Independence Signer." Constituting America. https://constitutingamerica.org/90day-dcin-george-wythe-of-virginia-continental-congress-delegate-judge-professor-of-law-declaration-of-independence-signer-guest-essayist-suzanne-harman-munson/.</ref>. After this endeavor, however, Wythe rarely spoke<ref>"George Wythe." National Constitution Center. https://constitutioncenter.org/signers/george-wythe.</ref>, except once to support a resolution by James Madison to focus on general principles before discussing specifics<ref>Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). ''George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty.'' Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 65.</ref>. Perhaps this lack of engagement was because his wife’s condition was worsening, requiring him to leave Philadelphia in early June, sending his resignation to Governor Edmund Randolph on June 16 once back in Williamsburg with his wife<ref>Kirtland, Robert B. (1986). ''[[George Wythe: Lawyer, Revolutionary, Judge]].'' New York: Garland Publishing, 124.</ref>. Wythe did not return to the convention or sign the US Constitution<ref>''The Debate on the Constitution, Part One.'' (1993). New York: Library of America, 202-203.</ref>, and Anne Wythe passed away two months later in August<ref>Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). ''George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty.'' Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 65.</ref>.

===Delegate to the Virginia Ratifying Convention (1788)===
Wythe did not put himself forward as a candidate for the upcoming convention in Virginia on ratification of the Constitution<ref>Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). ''George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty.'' Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 66.</ref>, but a convention of voters in neighboring York County, following the urging of a man named Charles Lewis, unanimously elected George Wythe and John Blair as delegates ''in absentia''. Following this, a convoy of voters, including Thomas Nelson (the original candidate for the seat) travelled to Wythe’s home in Williamsburg to inform a startled Wythe of his new political role<ref>Tazewell, Littleton Waller. (1823). ''An Account and History of the Tazewell Family.'' Williamsburg, VA: Tazewell Family, 97-99.</ref>. Upon arrival in Richmond, Edmund Pendleton was nominated as chair and Wythe seconded the nomination, possibly to remove himself from consideration as an opposing candidate<ref>Kirtland, Robert B. (1986). ''[[George Wythe: Lawyer, Revolutionary, Judge]].'' New York: Garland Publishing, 129.</ref>. Beginning in June, Wythe began to preside over committees of the whole, which invoked debate on the features of the Constitution between all delegates<ref>''Debates and Other Proceedings of the Convention of Virginia.'' (1805). Richmond, VA: Enquirer-Press, 17.</ref>. Wythe only gave one speech himself, notably with strong emotion. He spoke of the Revolution, the weakness of the Articles of Confederation, and the need for action despite the imperfections of the Constitution<ref>Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). ''George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty.'' Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 69.</ref>. The Virginia delegates voted to ratify the Constitution 89-79, with Wythe voting in favor<ref>Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). ''George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty.'' Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 70.</ref>. After ratification, Wythe headed a committee to draft suggested amendments for the Constitution once ratification had occurred<ref>Kirtland, Robert B. (1986). ''[[George Wythe: Lawyer, Revolutionary, Judge]].'' New York: Garland Publishing, 130-131.</ref>, submitting forty amendments to the committee<ref>Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). ''George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty.'' Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 70.</ref>. After a Federalist attempt to strike an amendment related to taxation powers failed, the amendments passed on June 27th, the same day the Convention concluded<ref>''The Debate on the Constitution, Part Two.'' (1993). New York: Library of America, 557-565.</ref>.

===Virginia Elector (1800 and 1804)===
In 1800, Wythe was chosen as an elector for his former student Thomas Jefferson<ref>Dill, Alonzo Thomas. (1979). ''George Wythe: Teacher of Liberty.'' Williamsburg, VA: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 79.</ref>, and presided over the state’s Electoral College when it convened in Richmond<ref>Berexa, Daniel. (January 2011). "The Murder of Founding Father George Wythe." Tennessee Bar Association. https://www.tba.org/?pg=Articles&blAction=showEntry&blogEntry=9542.</ref>. The Election of 1800 was notorious for a ploy by Democratic-Republicans to strategically vote for either Thomas Jefferson or Aaron Burr for President to ensure a Jefferson presidency and a Burr vice presidency, a plan that nearly went awry due to a defecting elector in New York<ref>"Elections from 1789 to 1828." Virginia Museum of History and Culture. https://virginiahistory.org/learn/getting-message-out-presidential-campaign-memorabilia-collection-allen-frey/elections-1789-1828.</ref>. The Virginia College of Electors, under Wythe’s leadership, sent all 21 of its electoral votes to Jefferson<ref>Lampi, Philip J. (January 11, 2012). "Virginia 1800 Electoral College." Tufts University: A New Nation Votes. https://elections.lib.tufts.edu/catalog/m039k589j.</ref>

Wythe once again presided over the Virginia College of Electors in 1804<ref>Tyler, Lyon Gardiner. (1907). "George Wythe" in ''Great American Lawyers,'' vol. 1. Philadelphia: The John C. Winston Company, 66.</ref>, sending all 24 electoral votes to Thomas Jefferson<ref>Lampi, Philip J. (January 11, 2012). "Virginia 1804 Electoral College." Tufts University: A New Nation Votes. https://elections.lib.tufts.edu/catalog/7m01bn32j.</ref> during his landslide victory over Charles Pinckney<ref>"Elections from 1789 to 1828." Virginia Museum of History and Culture. https://virginiahistory.org/learn/getting-message-out-presidential-campaign-memorabilia-collection-allen-frey/elections-1789-1828.</ref>. After the election, he joined Jefferson at a celebratory party, where Wythe himself received a toast from the attendees<ref>Berexa, Daniel. (January 2011). "The Murder of Founding Father George Wythe." Tennessee Bar Association. https://www.tba.org/?pg=Articles&blAction=showEntry&blogEntry=9542.</ref>.

==See also==
*[[Wythe the Lawyer]]
*[[Wythe's Judicial Career]]

==References==
<references />

==External links==

* George Wythe, at [https://history.house.virginia.gov/clerks/41 A History of the Virginia House of Delegates,] Virginia House of Delegates Clerk's Office.

[[Category:Aspects of Wythe's Life]]
[[Category:Biographies]]