Dictionary of Virginia Biography Search

The Dictionary of Virginia Biography (DVB) is an ongoing biographical reference work covering all centuries, regions, and categories of Virginia's history and culture. The index provides links to online biographies and citations to the print volumes. The Library of Virginia continues to publish DVB content online, with some biographies on Encyclopedia Virginia through a partnership with Virginia Humanities. Check back for new entries.

Content Warning: Materials in the Library of Virginia's collections contain historical terms, phrases, and images that are offensive to modern readers. These include demeaning and dehumanizing references to race, ethnicity, and nationality; enslaved or free status; physical and mental ability; and gender and sexual orientation.

Name Life Dates Volume and Page Numbers Residence
Chapman, Harry Powell 26 November 1888-1 June 1952 Volume 3, pages 170-171 Roanoke City
Chapman, Henley 28 March 1779-8 April 1864 Volume 3, pages 171-172 Montgomery County, Giles County
Chapman, Hunter Boyd 24 March 1866-18 May 1942 Volume 3, pages 172-173 Shenandoah County
Chapman, James Archer 8 January 1885-1 March 1956 Volume 3, pages 173-174 Franklin County
Chapman, John Gadsby 11 August 1808-28 November 1889 Volume 3, pages 174-176 Alexandria City
Chapman, Manilius 14 October 1806-3 October 1883 Volume 3, pages 176-177 Giles County
Chappelear, John Willis 3 February 1929-6 April 1986 Volume 3, pages 177-178 Roanoke City
Chappell, John Taylor 18 May 1845-27 September 1915 Volume 3, pages 178-181 Richmond City
Chappell, Samuel Warren 9 July 1904-26 March 1991 Volume 3, pages 181-182 Charlottesville City
Charity, Ruth LaCountess Harvey Wood 18 April 1924-26 April 1996 Volume 3, pages 182-184 Danville City, Alexandria City
Chase, Richard Thomas 15 February 1904-2 February 1988 Volume 3, pages 184-186 Richmond City, Washington County, Albemarle County
Chase, Roland Ephriam 14 August 1867-14 September 1948 Volume 3, pages 186-188 Dickenson County
Chauco fl. 1622-1623 Volume 3, pages 188-189
Cheatham, Benjamin Franklin 20 May 1867-2 December 1944 Volume 3, pages 189-191 Arlington County, Westmoreland County
Cheek, Leslie 28 October 1908-6 December 1992 Volume 3, pages 191-193 Williamsburg City, Richmond City
Cheesman, Edmund d. by 10 February 1677 Volume 3, pages 193-194 York County
Cheesman, John ca. 1598-by 2 May 1665 Volume 3, pages 194-195 Elizabeth City County, York County
Chenery, Christopher Tompkins 16 September 1886-3 January 1973 Volume 3, pages 195-197 Caroline County
Chesterman, Aubrey 17 June 1875-28 January 1937 Volume 3, pages 197-198 Lynchburg City, Roanoke City
Chesterman, Evan Ragland 20 May 1870-22 February 1931 Volume 3, pages 198-200 Richmond City
Chevallié, Peter Joseph 15 May 1791-21 February 1837 Volume 3, pages 200-201 Richmond City
Chew, Roger Preston 9 April 1843-16 March 1921 Volume 3, pages 201-202 Jefferson County
Cheyne, Christopher Ethelbert 5 July 1867-14 August 1943 Volume 3, pages 202-203 Hampton City
Chicheley, Henry (Sir) 1614 or 1615-5 February 1683 Volume 3, pages 203-205 Lancaster County, Middlesex County
Chichester, Richard Henry Lee 18 April 1870-3 February 1930 Volume 3, pages 205-206 Stafford County
Childress, Robert Walter 19 January 1889-16 January 1956 Volume 3, pages 206-208 Patrick County, Floyd County
Childs, James Rives 6 February 1893-15 July 1987 Volume 3, pages 208-209 Richmond City
Childs, Lucy Howard Brown 31 December 1854-5 November 1947 Volume 3, pages 210 Lynchburg City
Chiles, Walter bap. 20 March 1609-after 6 July 1653 Volume 3, pages 210-212 Charles City County, James City County
Chilton, Edward 9 March 1658-by 26 July 1707 Volume 3, pages 212-215 James City County
Chilton, Robert Hall ca. March 1816-18 February 1879 Volume 3, pages 215-216 Winchester City
Chilton, Samuel 7 September 1805-7 January 1867 Volume 3, pages 217-218 Fauquier County
Chinn, Joseph William 16 November 1798-8 December 1840 Volume 3, pages 218-219 Richmond County, Lancaster County
Chinn, Joseph William 15 February 1866-16 August 1936 Volume 3, pages 219-220 Richmond County
Chiswell, John d. 15 October 1766 Volume 3, pages 220-222 Hanover County, Williamsburg City
Chrisman, Arthur Bowie 16 July 1889-by 21 February 1953 Volume 3, pages 222-223 Clarke County
Christian, Annie Henry d. 4 May 1790 Volume 3, pages 223-224 Augusta County, Botetourt County, Jefferson County KY
Christian, Frank Patteson 18 November 1858-6 June 1933 Volume 3, pages 224-225 Lynchburg City
Christian, George Llewellyn 13 April 1841-26 July 1924 Volume 3, pages 225-227 Richmond City
Christian, Israel d. by 1 October 1784 Volume 3, pages 227-228 Augusta County, Botetourt County, Montgomery County
Christian, James Samuel 26 October 1918-29 December 1982 Volume 3, pages 228-229 Richmond City
Christian, John Beverly ca. 1793-21 February 1856 Volume 3, pages 229-231 Charles City County, Williamsburg City
Christian, Joseph 10 July 1828-29 May 1905 Volume 3, pages 231-232 Middlesex County, Richmond City
Christian, Langdon Taylor 26 May 1853-13 November 1935 Volume 3, pages 232-234 Richmond City
Christian, William ca. 1742-9 April 1786 Volume 3, pages 234-235 Augusta County, Fincastle County, Jefferson County KY
Christian, William Asbury 8 January 1866-1 May 1936 Volume 3, pages 235-237 Lynchburg City, Richmond City
Christian, William Steptoe 26 December 1830-10 December 1910 Volume 3, pages 237-238 Middlesex County
Chrysler, Jean Esther Outland 15 September 1921-26 January 1982 Volume 3, pages 238-239 Fauquier County, Norfolk City
Chrysler, Walter Percy 27 May 1909-17 September 1988 Volume 3, pages 240-242 Fauquier County, Norfolk City
Church, Merton Elbridge 14 February 1858-16 September 1931 Volume 3, pages 242-243 Fairfax County