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Patrick
Henry (1736-1799) was the first Virginian to gain fame as a
persuasive political orator. As a courtroom advocate and as a
member of the House of Burgesses and the Continental Congress, he
propelled Virginia along the road to the American Revolution. He
served as governor of Virginia from 1776 to 1779 and from 1784 to
1786, and he employed his powerful oratory during the Convention
of 1788 in the struggle over the ratification of the United States
Constitution. Henry's oratorical style helped create a new form
of politics in Virginia. Before Henry, candidates for office did
not speak directly to the voters; after Henry, candidates for
office almost always addressed the voters. Attendance at political
rallies became a popular aspect of the democratic political
culture, and oratorical ability was often essential for political
success. His famous "Give me liberty, or give me death"
speech, delivered in Richmond in March 1775, is one of the
best-known political orations in American history. |
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Patrick
Henry before the House of Burgesses. After Peter F. Rothermel.
1851. Hand-colored engraving. The Library of Virginia
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Governor's
Letters Received |
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