File:William Boyd Memorial detail - Glenwood Cemetery - 2014-09-19.jpg

English: Detail of the grave of William Henry Boyd at Glenwood Cemetery in Washington, D.C., in the United States.

Boyd was born in Montreal, Canada on July 14, 1825, moved to New York City at the age of 20, and began publishing city directories. His business -- Boyd’s Directories -- became famous nationwide and today are considered key historical documents.

Boyd moved to Philadelphia. When the American Civil War broke out, Boyd organized the very first company of volunteer cavalry in the nation. He was elected captain of the unit (early in the war, units elected their officers) and he later led the first cavalry charge of the Union Army.

Boyd was appointed Provost Marshal of VI Corps on December 1, but the need for good officers led him to be assigned to the 1st New York Cavalry again on August 4, 1862. His unit was assigned to the Army of the Potomac on September 5, 1862, just in time to participate in the Maryland Campaign. He participated in the Battle of Antietam and the Battle of Williamsport. On September 28, the 1st New York Cavalry was assigned to the Shenandoah Valley to pursue guerrillas, where he was promoted to major. He participated in the Second Battle of Winchester, where his unit had to fight its way out of a trap. Boyd was promoted to colonel and placed in command of the 21st Pennsylvania Cavalry in August 1863. His unit spent the winter in the Shenandoah, and then was moved to Washington, D.C., where it was dismounted and turned into infantry. He commanded the unit during the Battle of Cold Harbor, where received a severe neck wound He was mustered out due to disability.

Boyd published the city directory in Washington, D.C., beginning in 1862, and he continued to do so after the war. He settled briefly in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, but moved permanent to the District of Columbia shortly thereafter. There, he took a job as a clerk in the Treasury Department to supplement his income.

Boyd died on October 7, 1887.