William Wirt was born in Bladensburg, November 8, 1772. His father was a native of Switzerland; his mother, of Germany. At the age of eight years he was left an orphan under the care of his uncle. He attended school four years, and when fifteen years old had completed the course of Latin and Greek classics usually taught in the academies. Not having the means of procuring a college education, he taught school for two years. He then commenced the study of law, and at the age of twenty was admitted to practice at Culpeper court, in Virginia, where he became acquainted with Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe. He was clerk of the House of Delegates and chancellor of the Eastern Shore.