Randolph, Edmund | Research & Encyclopedia Articles

Randolph, Edmund

Born August 10, 1753 (Williamsburg, Virginia)

Died September 12, 1813 (Clark County, Virginia)

Attorney general, secretary of state, governor

Edmund Randolph was highly influential in the political shaping of America, particularly between 1776 and 1800, when he served as Virginia's first attorney general, Virginia state governor, the first U.S. attorney general, and the nation's second secretary of state. Coming from a family with a colonial legal background, Randolph was very intelligent and highly respected for his legal knowledge. Randolph played a key role at the 1787 Constitutional Convention, serving on a committee that developed an early draft of the U.S. Constitution.

Family of Lawyers

Edmund Randolph was born in August 1753 to John Randolph and Ariana Jenings at Williamsburg, Virginia. Their home was called Tazewell Hall. The family was well established in colonial politics and legal matters, having moved to America from England in the mid-1600s. His father, uncle, and grandfather all served as attorneys for the British Crown in the Virginia colony. Ariana's father was also a king's attorney in the colony of Maryland.

Many colonial leaders visited the home of the prominent Randolph family on a regular basis. Young Edmund grew up hearing discussions at the dinner table and in the parlor on a wide range of important topics of the day.

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