| At age 1, his mother died, he was moved to live with his aunt and uncle, who renamed him Robert Carlyle Byrd. Served over 51 years as Democratic senator from West Virginia, 1959-2010, the longest service as senator in history. Previously a US Representative 1953-1959. Held offices of Majority Whip, Minority Leader, twice Majority Leader and President Pro Tempore of the Senate. Early in life he was a member of the KKK, and voted against civil rights, which he later regretted and apologized for. |