After reading that bio, Curley was one heck of a man.
The Byrds of Virginia (and Maryland and West Virginia) were one of the most prominent families in America. Winston Churchill visited Virginia in the 30s and stayed with the Byrd family.
Robert Byrd was kin to the Byrd family. Although he was adopted, he was still blood kin.
I remember the dismay I felt when I learned that Maryland was just as segregated as states like Alabama and Mississippi. I suppose I should have figured that one out for myself, considering which party runs the government.