Burleson, Richard Byrd, 1822-1879

Born near Decatur, Alabama, Richard Byrd Burleson (1822-1879) was the son of Jonathan Burleson and Elizabeth Byrd. After graduating from the State University in Nashville, Tennessee in 1842, he became an ordained Baptist minister and married Sarah Leigh five years later. In 1855, Burleson moved to Austin, Texas, where he served as the pastor of the First Baptist Church. Following the death of Sarah, he married Mary Halbert in 1857 and began teaching in the department of natural sciences at Baylor University. From 1874 through 1875, Burleson served as the Texas state geologist before returning to teaching.

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