Patrick Henry (1736-1799), was a statesman, lawyer,
and orator at the time of the Revolutionary War in America. He is
remembered most for the words, "Give me liberty or give me death" which,
according to tradition, he spoke in 1775 before the Virginia militia armed
for defense of the colony against England. Every word he said got
people's attention.
Patrick Henry was born in Hanover County, Virginia.
He was in school for a short time, taught by his father who had a good
education. Henry was also a store owner. His talent as orator
won him fame in Virginia in a noted lawsuit called the Parson's Cause.
In 1764, Henry was elected to the Virginia House
of Burgesses. His speech against the Stamp Act in 1765 is one of
his greatest orations. In according to tradition, he said these quoted
words: "Caesar had his Brutus, Charles the First his Cromwell and George
the Third may profit by their example. If this be treason, make the
most of it."
In August 1774, the colony of Virginia elected Henry
a delegate to the First Continental Congress. He was also a member
of the Second Continental for a sort time in 1775. Later he became
a commander in chief of Virginia's military forces. He was governor of
Virginia in the Revolutionary War. Henry worked harder to make Virginia
a better place and he did.