Patrick Henry

Patrick Henry was an American orator and statesman, whose fiery patriotism was influential in leading the colonies toward revolution. In 1763, he had become a prominent lawyer, and two years later, he became a member of the colonial legislature of Virginia, the House of Burgesses, where he introduced seven resolutions against the Stamp Act. He concluded his speech with: “Caesar had his Brutus, Charles the First his Cromwell, and George the Third-may profit by their example.”…

…U.S. Constitution, Henry opposed the document on the ground that it threatened the rights of states and individuals. Largely through his efforts, the provisions known as the Bill of Rights were adopted as the first ten amendments to the Constitution. Henry was offered many governmental posts, but declined them, continuing his law practice. In 1799, he was elected to the Virginia legislature, but he died on June 6 of that year before taking his seat. i