Richard C. Byrd

Richard C. Byrd was an interim Democratic governor of the State of Arkansas, serving from April 10, 1849, to April 19, 1849.

Ricard Byrd was born in Hawkins County, Tennessee, in 1805. He became a farmer and merchant before moving to the state of Arkansas in 1826. Between 1829 and 1831 we was the auditor of the Arkansas Territory. In 1833 he served as a representative to the Arkansas Territorial Legislature. In 1836 he was a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives. He was a member of the Arkansas Senate from 1840 to 1848. He ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1844.

Byrd replaced governor Thomas Stevenson Drew in 1849 when the latter figure resigned his position. Byrd was then president of the Senate and by law of succession moved into the governor's office. On April 19, 1849, Byrd left office and returned to his mercantile establishment in Jefferson County.