Patrick Henry Biography - Research Paper Example

? Patrick Henry-Biography Patrick Henry-Biography Patrick Henry is one of the most celebrated American Revolutionary orator and political leader. He was born on May 29, 1736 and is well-known for his famous quote “Give me liberty or give me death" (Raphael, 2004). He is one of the few men who were very radical in opposing the British rule in the U.S. At the same time, he is also credited for playing a leading in the formation of the federal government of the United States after the passage of the Bill of rights. However, he had been among those who earlier rejected the new federal government formation before bowing to pressure. His Childhood Patrick Henry was born on May 29, 1736 to a Scottish-born planter in Studley in Hanover County, Virginia. He was the second born in a family of nine and began attending a local school few years after birth. However, he is reported to have received much of his education from his father, alumni of King’s College in Aberdeen. He is reported to have been a brilliant musical child who liked playing flute and fiddle. At the same time, he used to escort his uncle to religious sermons, where he is thought to have molded his great oratory style (Soylent Communications, 2012). Henry is said to have been a very ambitious boy who knew what is good for him. He began working at the age of 15 when he secured a job as a clerk at a nearby merchant store. However, he later partnered with his elder brother with whom they opened their own store. Nevertheless, the business was not successful as it collapsed few months after opening. It is here that Henry had the first experience of failure in his life. He met his wife Sarah Shelton in 1754, who paid him a 600-acre piece of land in the form of a dowry. Henry then resorted to farming by growing tobacco in this piece of land, something that he did for three years before bowing for lack of good returns. Immediately after abandoning farming, a misfortune befallen Henry when their farmhouse caught fire destroying everything they owned. As a result, he opted to take over the management of his father-in-law’s tavern where he got money to study law. He soon got a law license in 1760 after which he began practicing as a lawyer (Raphael, 2004). Politician and Lawyer Henry demonstrated his brilliance a persuasive lawyer soon after beginning his law practice, which made his very famous and reputable lawyer in the entire state of Virginia. This he argued and won a "Parson's Cause" case in 1763, which was meant to change the way church leaders were being paid in the U.S. However, King George III later overturned the law prompting one of the clergy to sue for back pay thereby wining the case. However, it was Henry’s persuasive argument against the minister’s a move that made the clergy be paid damages. In the case, Henry pointed out high level of royal interference and greed on legal decisions. In the end, he managed to persuade the jury to award the lowest possible award to church ministers (Soylent Communications, 2012). He later developed an interest in politics and was soon elected to the House of Burgesses. His election to the House of Burgesses gave him the opportunity to prove himself as a voice of dissent against the colonial policies pursued by the British government. His radical voice of opposition against the British policies was first witnessed when he strongly opposed the British move to tax every printed-paper used by the colonists through the Stamp Act of 1765. He argued during the debate that only the colony should be allowed to tax its citizens and not the vice versa. In fact, some members in the house are reported to have cited Henry’s comments as treason, but Henry being a courageous man stood his ground. Report indicates that his suggestion on how the matter should be handled received wide media coverage in the U.S. and beyond, as copies to his suggestions were later distributed to colonies, which helped in inciting people against the British rule (Yale Law School, 2008). American Revolutionary Henry is very much remembered for his fight against the British rule. As a result, he tactically rallied people behind him in a bid to voice their discomfort against the British rule. In this regard, Henry is reported to have translated his political ideology in a language that the common person could understand. Henry was among the few people who were selected to serve at the Continental Congress in Philadelphia as delegates in 1774, where he met Sam Adams. Since both of them were fighting against the British rule, they both ignited fires against the revolution. It is reported that Henry partook during one of the proceedings by calling upon every colonist in the country to unite against the British rule. This resulted in the unification of several states together. Among the states that became united by Henry’s call include Virginians, New Englanders, New Yorkers and Pennsylvanians. It is here that he spoke of him not being a Virginian, rather an American (Espinosa, 2008). It was a year later that Henry delivered his most memorable speech at a Virginia Convention where they have gathered together with likeminded colonists in a bid to strategies on how to resolve the British crisis in the country. During the convention, some members proposed the use of peace as a means of resolving the British crisis. However, Henry was against a peaceful resolution called to arms saying, "Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle?” (Tyler, 2009, p.5). He also rhetorically questioned the audience as to the how dear life is and the wetness of peace. It is then that he pushed for the use of force to liberate Americans from the British rule even if it meant death. In fact, it did not take long before the first shot was fired on air signaling war towards American Revolution (Tyler, 2009). Since he had demonstrated great leadership style throughout his career, Henry became the commander in chief of the forces of Virginia, a position that he held for six months before resigning. His passion for a better America made him focus in leadership and politics where he helped in America’s constitution, in 1776. As an active politician in the state of Virginia, he was elected as the first governor of this state in 1776. As a governor, Henry reportedly held strong anti-Federalist views arguing that giving the federal government too much power will make it oppress it own people the same may the British policies had oppressed Americans. What is notable is that he at one time refused to attend a Philadelphia Constitutional Convention where the document giving much power to federalist system of government was to be approved. As a result, he patiently waited for the time the document was to be returned to Virginia for ratification where he strongly spoke against the document, terming the principles of this document dangerous for the people of America. Nevertheless, the document was ratified despite strong objection from Henry and his supporters. What is notable is that Henry and his supporters lost by a margin of 10 votes in favor of George Washington and the Federalist support on a vote of 89 against 79 (Welch, 2006). Final years Henry retired from public service in 1790, after which he resumes his practice as a lawyer, where he had built himself strong reputation. Despite preferring to work as a lawyer in his private law firm, he continued to receive several invitations to work in senior public service positions such as secretary of state, Supreme Court Justice and attorney general, positions, which he all turned down. He argued that he was much comfortable staying with his second wife, Dorothea and his siblings rather than continuing to navigate the dirty waters of politics (Welch, 2006). Henry also preferred to retire in his rural home in "Red Hill," in Charlotte County, Virginia. However, since he was loved by many people in the state of Virginia, he was persuaded again in 1779 to run for an office. However, this time round he ran on a different party from that which he had been using before and became part of the Federalists. This made him face off against George Washington for the legislative seat in the state of Virginia, a seat that Henry easily won. Despite being elected to this post, he only served for few months before passing on in June 6, 1799 at his rural home in Red Hill (Mayer, 2001). Indeed Henry will be remembered for as one of the greatest American revolutionary leaders. At the same time, he will also be remembered for his role in the drafting of the U.S. constitution, which has been termed as the best in the World. In fact, he has been referred by many as the "Trumpet" and "Voice" of the U.S. Revolution. His suggestions also helped in defining America, statements, which will remain fresh in the minds of many for centuries to come. Conclusion Patrick Henry was born in Hanover County, Virginia as is associated with the famous speech “Give me liberty or give me death". He received a lot of training from his father who was an alumnus of King’s College in Aberdeen. His oratory skills were modeled through the sermons that he attended with his uncle. A hard working person, Henry studied law and started practicing law in 1760. In the course of his practice, Henry ended up being a renowned lawyer in the entire state of Virginia. He argued and won the "Parson's Cause" case in 1763. He later joined politics and was elected to the House of Burgesses where he emerged as a courageous and dissenting voice of the people (against British policies). He received a lot of media coverage for his participation in political and social forums. Henry played a significant role in the British revolution. His influence in this regard began when he served as a delegate of the Continental Congress in Philadelphia in 1774. He rallied the colonists behind him to fight against British rule in many instances. He fought against the ratification of the constitution as proposed by Washington and other federalists. In his later life, he retired to his private home in Red Hill and practiced law privately. He later again rejoined politics and vied for the legislative seat in the state of Virginia which he easily won. He served a few months in the post and passed on on June 6, 1799, a great American revolutionist. References Espinosa, R. (2008), Patrick Henry. Edina, MN: ABDO. Mayer, H. (2001). A Son of Thunder: Patrick Henry and the American Republic. New York: Grove Press. Raphael, R. (2004). Founding Myths: Stories that Hide Our Patriotic Past. New York: The New Press. Soylent Communications (2012). Patrick Henry. Retrieved from http://www.nndb.com/people/916/000027835/. Tyler, M.C. (2009). Patrick Henry. New York, NY: Echo Library. Welch, C. A. (2006). Patrick Henry. Minneapolis, MN: Lerner Publications. Yale Law School (2008). Patrick Henry - Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death: Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death: Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775. Retrieved from http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/patrick.asp. Read More