Byrd, Harry F (Flood) (1887-1966)

US Democratic governor and senator. As governor of Virginia 1926-30, he established the first antilynching law in the South in 1928. He promoted rural electrification while eliminating Virginia's budget deficit. He went on to serve in the US Senate for Virginia, 1933-65.

He was born at Martinsburg, West Virginia. Although initially a Roosevelt supporter, he opposed many New Deal measures in the name of reduced government spending and emerged as a leading southern conservative, often siding with Republicans. After World War II he opposed foreign aid measures abroad and civil rights at home.