Note: the word "gentleman" had a much different meaning in the old South, not necessarily a good one
While it usually conveys only a general meaning, the word "gentlemen," may be understood in a much more precise manner when applied to the Old South, especially Virginia. The word represents men of a specific mold, men of high birth and matching education - nobles, rich and powerful - and brings with it countless but often-accurate stereotypes. Grounded at the center of this swirling mist of labels and preconceptions was a man named William Byrd II. Byrd transcended the simple title of…
