The Honorable Beverly Barton Butcher Byron

U.S. Representative from Maryland (January 3, 1979–January 3, 1993)

Beverly Barton Butcher Byron married into a family with deep political roots. Her husband Goodloe Byron and his parents William and Katharine all served in the U.S. House of Representatives. Beverly Byron, much like her mother-in-law Katharine, did not pursue a political career. Rather, both women won election to Congress after their husbands died in office. In her oral history, Byron discusses the transition from a supporting role in her husband’s career to her own position as a Member of Congress. Byron also touches upon the prevailing opinion at the time that she—like many other congressional widows—would serve as a temporary placeholder. The Maryland Representative explains that once she came to Congress, she had no intention of stepping aside for someone that party leaders deemed more qualified.  

In her interview, Byron compares how she and her late husband approached the job. Both enjoyed constituent service, but she observes that her strength and interest lay in policy work. The first woman to chair an Armed Services subcommittee, Byron describes her leadership style and discusses her work for the military during her seven terms in Congress. Byron also talks about her interest in physical fitness, her work on the American Discovery Trail legislation, and the bond that formed among the women representing Maryland in Congress.

• Transcript (PDF) 
• Deed of Gift (PDF)

BYRON, Beverly Barton Butcher, (wife Goodloe Edgar Byron and daughter-in-law of William Devereux Byron and Katharine Edgar Byron), a Representative from Maryland; born Beverly Barton Butcher in Baltimore, Md., July 27, 1932; graduated from National Cathedral School for Girls, Washington, D.C., 1950; elected as a Democrat to the Ninety-sixth and to the six succeeding Congresses (January 3, 1979–January 3, 1993); unsuccessful candidate for renomination to the One Hundred Third Congress in 1992; appointed to the Base Closure and Realignment Commission, 1993.

Read full biography