Patrick Henry

Patrick Henry was born on May 29th, 1736, he was born in Hanover County,Virginia. His father was scottish and his mother had english background. His father had immigrated into the United States in the 1720's. At first, Henry had decided to be planter but his house burned down and plans were frustrated. So finally in 1760, he decided to become a lawyer. In 1765, Patrick Henry was chosen for the House of Burgueses to fill an empty spot, on the virginian legislative body. He then presented the house with the Virginia Resolutions. On March 1773, Patrick Henry with the help of Thomas Jefferson and Richard Henry Lee, led the house of burgueses to approve a committee of correspondents. Every colony had one of these committees which later helped form the First Continental Congress on 1774. During this congress Henry gave one of the most popular speeches in history," Give me liberty, or give me death." On 1775, Henry became colonel for the 1st virginian regiment in the revolutionary war. On early November, him and James Madison were elected founding trustees of Hapmden-Sydney College. After the declaration of independence, he served as governor for Virginia from 1784 to 1786. He then was asked to participate in the Constitutional Convention of 1787, but he rejected it. He remained on the board of trustees of Hampden-Sydney college until his death on 1799. He died of stomach cancer on June 6, 1799.