Lloyd C. Bird

Lloyd Campbell Bird (August 1, 1894 – April 20, 1978) was a pharmacist, businessman and Democratic politician who served as a Virginia State Senator for 28 years and helped found Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond.

[1] He was born in Highland County, Virginia to George Anson Bird and his wife Mary Susan Campbell.

Bird replaced fellow Democrat Hunsdon Cary, who resigned during the 1942 General Assembly, but the vacancy was not filled for the special session that fall.

[2] Despite multiple reorganizations of his senatorial district, Bird was continually re-elected (generally for four year terms) more than seven times.

[6] While many now regret Bird's involvement in Massive Resistance, as it ended pursuant to adverse court decisions and voter antipathy, Bird headed a legislative commission worked with fellow Byrd stalwart and Virginia Governor Mills E. Godwin as well as former Richmond mayor (turned member of the Virginia House of Delegates) Eleanor P. Sheppard to form Virginia Commonwealth University by merging his alma mater, the Medical College of Virginia and Richmond Professional Institute.