RANDOLPH, Beverley, governor of Virginia, born in Chatsworth, Henrico County, Virginia, in 1755; died at Green Creek, his home, in Cumberland, Virginia, in 1797. He was a graduate of William and Mary college, of which he was appointed a visitor in 1784. He was a member of the assembly of Virginia during the Revolutionary war and actively supported all measures for securing American independence. He was chosen in 1787 president of the executive council of Virginia, and, at the close of 1788, succeeded his relative, Edmund Randolph, as governor of the state. After two years of service he became unpopular with a part of the legislature, which at that time elected the governor. The real-contents had resolved to surprise the legislature by the nomination of ex-Governor Benjamin Harrison, but Harrison discovered the scheme and defeated it, requesting his son to vote for Governor Randolph, who thus was chosen for a third term.