Edward Graham Haywood was born in North Carolina in 1830. His father was a U.S. Senator and practiced law in Raleigh. After attending school in Maryland, Haywood became a lawyer in Raleigh. In 1853, Haywood married Margaret Henry, and is mentioned in the diary of his cousin, Margaret Eliza Cotten. He fought in the 7th North Carolina Infantry and rose to the rank of Colonel. Surviving the war, he returned to his law career. He died in Washington D.C. on July 18, 1887.