Billington Family Genealogy & History

James Hadley Billington was a distinguished American academic and author, notable for his tenure as the 13th Librarian of Congress from 1987 to 2015. Appointed by President Ronald Reagan, Billington significantly expanded the Library's collection and initiated numerous advancements, including the reconstruction of Thomas Jefferson's original library and the acquisition of the 1507 Waldseemüller world map. A Harvard and Princeton history professor and Rhodes Scholar, Billington's impact extended through his directorship at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, where he founded the Kennan Institute for Advanced Russian Studies.

Billington was married to Marjorie Anne Brennan, with whom he had four children and 12 grandchildren. Notably, he and his daughter Susan Billington Harper were the first father-daughter duo to both receive Rhodes Scholarships, earning Doctorates of Philosophy at Oxford University.

John Billington, a notable passenger on the Mayflower, was one of the signers of the Mayflower Compact. Known for his contentious nature, Billington's involvement in various controversies marked his time in Plymouth Colony. He gained infamy as the first colonist executed for murder, after being convicted of killing John Newcomen in 1630. His life in the New World was marred by disputes and legal troubles, but he remains a significant figure in early American history due to his association with the Mayflower and the early governance of Plymouth Colony.

John Billington married Elinor in England, and they had two sons, John and Francis. Elinor's possible connection to Francis Longland, through her birth name Elinor Longland, suggests a familial link to Lincolnshire, where their son Francis was named an heir by Longland. After John’s death, Elinor remarried Gregory Armstrong in 1638. Their son Francis Billington lived a long life in New England, marrying Christian Eaton and fathering nine children, contributing to the Billington legacy in the New World.

Polly Billington, born in 1967, is a prominent British Labour Party politician and the Member of Parliament for East Thanet since 2024. Known for her extensive career in environmental advocacy and politics, she founded the UK100 climate network in 2016 and was its CEO until 2023. Billington previously served as a special adviser to Ed Miliband and was instrumental in his 2010 Labour leadership campaign. Her career also includes roles as a BBC journalist and Head of Communications at Citizens Advice. Recognized for her impact on climate policy, she received the Business Green Leader of the Year Award in 2023 and was named the 59th most influential person on the UK left in 2011.

Lady Rachel Mary Billington, OBE, is a distinguished British author renowned for her extensive literary contributions, including 21 adult novels like "A Woman's Age" and "Bodily Harm." Her work spans various genres, from children's literature to religious and non-fiction books. Notably, she has written plays for BBC Television and contributed to film scripts such as "The Light at the Edge of the World." As a journalist, Billington has written for prominent newspapers in the UK and the US. Her volunteer work includes serving as President of English PEN and being involved with the Longford Trust and other charitable organizations.

Rachel Billington is the third daughter of the 7th Earl and Countess of Longford, both of whom were writers, as was her aunt, Christine Longford. She is also the cousin of former Labour Deputy Leader Harriet Harman, highlighting a family rich in literary and political connections.