Colonial America
Patrick Henry
1736-1799

Patrick Henry was born in Hanover County, north of Richmond, Virginia. He received little schooling and showed sparse talent for business, failing in early ventures in farming and shopkeeping. In 1760, he started a career as a lawyer and quickly made an impact with his defense of accused criminals.

In 1763, Henry moved to the forefront as a champion of colonial freedoms in the case known as the Parsons' Cause. This matter involved the methods of paying Anglican clergymen in Virginia and found Henry arguing against the policies of George III. Using the popular natural rights philosophy of the day, Henry maintained that the king had broken the social contract with the people and did not merit their allegiance.

In 1765, Henry was elected to the House of Burgesses and furthered his radical reputation in the debate over the Stamp Act. He compared George III with tyrants of the past, infuriating the more conservative elements who accused him of treason. Henry responded, "If this be treason, make the most of it."

Henry, along with Richard Henry Lee and Thomas Jefferson, helped organize the committees of correspondence which exchanged political news and views within the colonies. In 1774, he was selected as a delegate to the First Continental Congress. The next year, at the Virginia Convention, he made the speech containing his most famous statement, "Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased by the chains of slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death."

Henry commanded militia soldiers at the beginning of the War for Independence, but served most notably in the state government of that time. He was elected governor on five occasions. Following the war he opposed ratification of the Constitution because of his concerns about the impairment of states' rights, but later worked on behalf of the Bill of Rights.

On account of health concerns, Henry declined nominations from George Washington to become his secretary of state or the chief justice of the Supreme Court. He later served briefly as a U.S. senator and for many years as a Virginia state legislator.

Virginia became an independent commonwealth in 1776 and established a new state government. Patrick Henry was elected as the first governor.

Sponsors of U-S-History.com:

Sponsor this site