Katharine Byron
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Katharine Edgar Byron | |
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Maryland's 6th district | |
| In office May 27, 1941 – January 3, 1943 | |
| Preceded by | William D. Byron |
| Succeeded by | James Glenn Beall |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Katharine Edgar October 25, 1903 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Died | December 28, 1976 (aged 73) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 5, including Goodloe Byron |
| Relatives | Louis E. McComas (grandfather) |
Katharine Edgar Byron (October 25, 1903 – December 28, 1976), a Democrat, was a U.S. Congresswoman who represented the 6th congressional district of Maryland from May 27, 1941 to January 3, 1943.[1] She was the first woman elected to Congress from Maryland.[1]
Early life[]
Katharine Edgar was born in Detroit, Michigan on October 25, 1902 to Mary (née McComas) and Brigadier General Clinton Goodloe Edgar.[1] She attended independent schools during her youth, such as the Liggett School in Detroit, the Westover School of Middlebury, Connecticut, and the Holton-Arms School of Bethesda, Maryland.[1] She later moved to Williamsport, Maryland, in 1922.[1] The Byrons were communicants of Saint John's Church.[citation needed]
She was a granddaughter of U.S. Senator Louis E. McComas, who represented the 6th congressional district of Maryland.[1]
Personal life[]
She married William D. Byron in 1922.[1] Together, they had five sons:[1]
- Goodloe Byron – a representative from the 6th district.[1]
- William D. Byron[1]
- James E. Byron[1]
- Louis McComas Byron[1]
- David Byron (d. 1964)[1]
Career[]
She was elected to Congress in a special election held May 27, 1941 to replace her husband, Representative William D. Byron, after his death in an airplane crash near Atlanta, Georgia on February 27, 1941.[1]
She advocated amending the Neutrality Act during World War II and gave one of five speeches on December 8, 1941 in favor of President Franklin Roosevelt's declaration of war on Japan.[1]
She did not seek re-election in 1942 and retired in Washington, D.C..[1]
Death[]
Byron died at Georgetown University Hospital on December 28, 1976.[1] She is interred in in Williamsport, Maryland.
See also[]
References[]
- United States Congress. "Katharine Byron (id: B001222)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- Katharine Byron at Find a Grave
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- 1903 births
- 1976 deaths
- Members of the United States House of Representatives from Maryland
- Politicians from Detroit
- People from Washington, D.C.
- Female members of the United States House of Representatives
- Women in Maryland politics
- Maryland Democrats
- Byron family of Maryland
- People from Williamsport, Maryland
- Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives
- 20th-century American politicians
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- Maryland politician stubs