Picture courtesy of the National Archives Nail database

Patrick Henry was born on May 29, 1736 in Virginia. Henry was a farmer and storekeeper before he started as a lawyer/politician. After Henry was accepted to the Virginia bar in 1760, Henry became a success immediately as a trial lawyer. In 1763 he scored a triumph for the principle of self-government in a case called "Parson's Cause." Henry joined Virginia's House of Burgesses in 1765.

Later in 1765 in one of his Henry's first speeches he directly challenged the crown as he intoned "Caeser had his Brutus; Charles the first, his Cromwell; and George the third-may profit by their examples."

After this speech Henry became a leader in Virginia of the opposition to British rule. In 1774 he assisted in the first Continental Congress and served that body. He was also part of the second Continental Congress in 1775. In the same year Henry made his "Liberty or Death" speech 1 month before the Revolutionary War.

The war started with the battle of Lexington and Concord. Henry was elected governor of Virginia in 1776 and served until 1779 (again was elected 1784-86) as governor. In 1778 he ordered George R. Clark to lead a military campaign in Illinois to secure the region for the United States. After the war ended in 1783 Henry's opposition to the Constitution did much to ensure the passage of the Bill of Rights, the first 10 Constitutional Amendments, limiting the power of the federal government over individuals.

In Henry's last years he had a standing feud with non other than Thomas Jefferson. In 1799 they ran for state legislator. Although Henry won his seat, he died the year before taking office.

1763 - Gave the famous "Parson's Cause" speech.

1765 - Famous "Stamp Act' speech in the House of Burgesses in Williamsburg.

1775 - March 23-"Give me Liberty or Give Me death" speech at St. Johns Church in Richmond.

Bibliography:

" Patrick Henry. " Family Encyclopedia of American History. 1975 ed.

" Patrick Henry. " Patrick Henry's Life and Speeches. www.inmind.com/schools/lessons/PatrickHenry/life.html (2 Dec. 1998).

Links to other related pages:

Page on: Patrick Henry

Page on: Patrick Henry's "Liberty or death" Speech

Page on: Bill of Rights

Page on: Gordon Russell Middle School

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