George Yeardley

Sir George Yeardley Captain-General and Lord Governor
Engraving of the First Virginia Assembly, Governor Yeardley presiding (in center)
Born	1587 St. Saviour's Parish, Southwark, Surrey
Died	November 13, 1627(1627-11-13) (aged 39–40)
Resting place	Jamestown Church
Other names	George Yardley, Yearlly[1]
Occupation(s)	Ancient planter, colonist
Spouse	Temperance Flowerdew ​ ​ (m. 1618⁠–⁠1627)​
Children	3
Awards	Knight Bachelor (1618)
Governor of Virginia
In office November 1616 – November 1617
Appointed by	James I
Preceded by	Thomas Dale
Succeeded by	Samuel Argall
In office November 1618 – November 1621
Appointed by	James I
Preceded by	Samuel Argall
Succeeded by	Francis Wyatt
In office March 4, 1626 – November 13, 1627
Appointed by	James I
Preceded by	Francis Wyatt
Succeeded by	Francis West
Military service
Rank	Captain of the guard (1609)
Signature

Sir George Yeardley (b. 1587 – d. November 13, 1627) was a planter and colonial governor of the colony of Virginia. He was also among the first slaveowners in Colonial America. A survivor of the Virginia Company of London's ill-fated 1609 Third Supply Mission, whose flagship, the Sea Venture, was shipwrecked on Bermuda for ten months, he is best remembered for presiding over the initial session of the first representative legislative body in Virginia in 1619. With representatives from throughout the settled portion of the colony the group became known as the House of Burgesses and continued to meet, becoming the Virginia General Assembly.