Voting Station

Edward Hyde

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U.S. Governor

The Resume

    (November 28, 1661-March 31, 1723)
    Born in Berkshire, England, United Kingdom
    Appointed colonial governor of New York and New Jersey (1701-08)
    Vicount Cornbury (1674-1709) and Earl of Claredon (1709-23)

Why he might be annoying:

    Historian George Bancroft said he represented the worst of 'arrogance joined to intellectual imbecility.'
    He accepted bribes and misappropriated government funds.
    After being recalled to England, he was imprisoned for debt until his father died and he succeeded to his title.
    He allegedly addressed the New York assembly in full drag.
    When some of the colonial politicians suggested he might want to wear something more conventional, he pointed out that he was representing Queen Anne, therefore it was his duty to resemble her as much as possible.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He was an ancestor of Cary Elwes.
    The cross-dressing allegations were spread by his political enemies and most historians doubt there was any truth to them.
    Stories of him dressing in drag for official functions were not mentioned by even his staunchest enemies and are pretty clearly latter day inventions.
    An alleged 'official portrait' of him in drag is thought by historians to merely be a painting of an unattractive woman.

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 4 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 14 Votes: 92.86% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 3 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 4 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 14 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 11 Votes: 54.55% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 19 Votes: 57.89% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 23 Votes: 73.91% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 15 Votes: 93.33% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 28 Votes: 67.86% Annoying