Francis William Seabury, attorney, legislator, and Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, was born in Norfolk, Virginia, on May 10, 1868. He attended Norfolk preparatory academy and the University of Virginia, graduating in 1888. Seabury moved to Texas in 1890, settling in Brownsville, and was admitted to the bar in 1891. He became the city attorney of Brownsville by 1894. In 1895, Seabury moved to Rio Grande City, opened another law practice, and learned Spanish. He became known for writing bilingual political articles in Rio Grande Valley newspapers. In 1895, Seabury was elected to the 24th Texas Legislature, representing the entire lower Rio Grande Valley. Seabury served in the legislature until 1907. During his last term, Seabury served as the Speaker of the House, and participated in the first comprehensive law authorizing and regulating corporate banking. In 1907, Seabury became the county attorney for Starr County and returned to his private law practice in 1909. He retired in 1945, and died in Houston in 1946.
Source: Legislative Library of Texas, "Speakers of the Texas House of Representatives, 1846-Present," http://www.lrl.state.tx.us/legis/leaders/speakerbio.html (accessed May 19, 2010).
From the guide to the Seabury, Francis William, Papers 1953; 87-339., 1714-1946, (Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin)
