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.
Quick facts 1st and 6th Governor of Virginia, Preceded by ...
Patrick Henry |
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 Portrait by George Bagby Matthews after Thomas Sully, c. 1891 |
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In office
December 1, 1784 – December 1, 1786 |
| Preceded by | Benjamin Harrison V |
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| Succeeded by | Edmund Randolph |
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In office
July 5, 1776 – June 1, 1779 |
| Preceded by | Edmund Pendleton (acting) |
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| Succeeded by | Thomas Jefferson |
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In office
September 5, 1774 – August 1, 1775 |
| Preceded by | Office established |
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| Succeeded by | Thomas Nelson Jr. |
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| Constituency | Henry County
(1779—1784)
Prince Edward County
(1787—1790)
Charlotte County
(1799) |
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| Constituency | Louisa County
(1765—1768)
Hanover County
(1769–1776) |
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| Born | May 29, 1736 [O.S. May 18, 1736]
Studley, Colony of Virginia, British America |
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| Died | June 6, 1799(1799-06-06) (aged 63)
Red Hill, Charlotte County, Virginia, U.S. |
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| Resting place | Red Hill Patrick Henry National Memorial |
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| Political party | Anti-Federalist
Anti-Administration
Federalist |
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| Spouse(s) |
Sarah Shelton
(m. 1754 ; died 1775 )Dorothea Dandridge Henry
(m. 1777 ) |
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| Mother | Sarah Winston Syme Henry |
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| Father | John Henry |
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| Relatives | William Henry (brother), Elizabeth Henry Campbell Russell (sister), Annie Henry Christian (sister) |
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| Profession | |
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| Signature |  |
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| Allegiance | United Colonies |
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| Branch/service | Virginia militia |
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| Years of service | 1775—1776 |
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| Rank |
- Colonel (1st Virginia Regiment)
- Captain (Hanover County Militia)
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| Commands |
- 1st Virginia Regiment
- Hanover County Militia
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| Battles/wars | American Revolutionary War |
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Close
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]
