Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry (May 29, 1736 – June 6, 1799)[1] served as the first post-colonial Governor of Virginia from 1776 to 1779. He is known for his "Give me Liberty or give me death" speech in 1775 shortly before the American Revolutionary War in St. John's Church. He was a fiery speaker who evoked great emotion from listeners. He unsuccessfully opposed the United States Constitution, which made him an enemy of John Adams and the Federalist Party. After the French Revolution, however, he supported Adams.
Patrick Henry | |
---|---|
1st and 6th Governor of Virginia | |
In office December 1, 1784 – December 1, 1786 | |
Preceded by | Benjamin Harrison V |
Succeeded by | Edmund Randolph |
In office July 5, 1776 – June 1, 1779 | |
Preceded by | Edmund Pendleton (acting) |
Succeeded by | Thomas Jefferson |
Delegate from Virginia to the Continental Congress | |
In office September 5, 1774 – August 1, 1775 | |
Preceded by | Office established |
Succeeded by | Thomas Nelson Jr. |
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates | |
Constituency | Henry County (1779—1784) Prince Edward County (1787—1790) Charlotte County (1799) |
Member of the Virginia House of Burgesses | |
Constituency | Louisa County (1765—1768) Hanover County (1769–1776) |
Personal details | |
Born | May 29, 1736 [O.S. May 18, 1736] Studley, Colony of Virginia, British America |
Died | June 6, 1799 Red Hill, Charlotte County, Virginia, U.S. | (aged 63)
Resting place | Red Hill Patrick Henry National Memorial |
Political party | Anti-Federalist Anti-Administration Federalist |
Spouse(s) | |
Mother | Sarah Winston Syme Henry |
Father | John Henry |
Relatives | William Henry (brother), Elizabeth Henry Campbell Russell (sister), Annie Henry Christian (sister) |
Profession |
|
Signature | |
Military service | |
Allegiance | United Colonies |
Branch/service | Virginia militia |
Years of service | 1775—1776 |
Rank |
|
Commands |
|
Battles/wars | American Revolutionary War |
His wife, Sarah Shelton, had a mental illness and died in 1775. He married his second wife, Dorthea Dandrige, two years later in 1777.
As governor of Virginia, Patrick Henry since 1776, he was one of the main architects of the requests for aid to the nascent United States, for which, in 1776 he requested support from the governor of Louisiana, Luis de Unzaga, key help for this birth.[2]
References
change- ↑ "Patrick Henry Timeline". Patrick Henry National Memorial. Archived from the original on 2006-10-04. Retrieved 2007-11-28.
- ↑ Cazorla, Frank (2019), Governor Luis de Unzaga (1717-1793) Precursor in the birth of the United States and in liberalism. Malaga Foundation / City Council. page 89