Randolph, Peyton

Peyton (1723-1775), an American statesman. He was a native of Williamsburg and was graduated at William and Mary College. He held a lucrative position from the king as royal attorney to the colony. He was nevertheless one of the leading spirits in exciting the Revolution. In 1764 he was an active member of the Virginia House of Burgesses that memorialized the king against the passage of the Stamp Act. When Massachusetts sent out a call for concerted action to oppose the encroachments of royal authority, Randolph was one of the foremost to induce Virginia to respond cordially. He was a member of the First Continental Congress and was chosen unanimously its president.