From Vision to Reality: The Life and Career of Harry Clifton Byrd

Following his graduation, Byrd completed post-graduate studies in law and journalism at Georgetown and George Washington Universities and Western Maryland College and pursued employment as a sports writer, high school football coach, and semi-professional baseball player. He returned to his alma mater late in 1912 as an instructor in English, an assistant in physical culture, and football coach.

Byrd rapidly climbed the administrative ranks at the university, becoming assistant to the president in 1918 and vice president in 1932. When Raymond Pearson resigned as president in 1935, the Board of Regents named Byrd acting president, making his appointment permanent on February 21, 1936.

As president, Byrd strove for excellence in every aspect of university life. He introduced new academic programs and sought to hire highly qualified faculty. He sought to enhance university facilities, overseeing the construction of more than seventy buildings on the College Park, Baltimore, and Princess Anne campuses. He encouraged the athletic programs to aspire to national prominence and persistently sought increased funding support for the university from a multitude of sources, both public and private.

In 1954, Byrd resigned from the presidency to run unsuccessfully for governor of Maryland. In retirement, he pursued a career in real estate, banking, construction, and publishing and two unsuccessful campaigns for the U. S. House of Representatives. He was also involved in a wide variety of civic and service activities, most notably the Loyal Order of Moose.

Harry Clifton Byrd died on October 2, 1970, and was buried in his hometown of Crisfield, Maryland.