Who was Patrick Henry?

John Baiamonte, Ph.D.

Grace Memorial Parishioner, Vestry Member, and Christian Education Leader

This is the first of my blogs leading up to our 250 Year Celebration on July 4.  These blogs will deal with the role of the Episcopal Church (Anglican) and the role religion in general played in the coming of the American Revolution.

Patrick Henry was born on May 29, 1736, and was primarily educated at home in Hanover County, Virginia.  Henry was unsuccessful as a businessman and decided to self-study law since there were no law schools in the colonies.  Only the wealthy could afford to travel to London to study law formally.  He studied Virginia laws and foundational legal texts on his own.  Henry spent many hours observing lawyers in the Hanover County Courthouse.  Apparently, he observed well the proceedings and listened to legal arguments because he was able to pass the bar examination in 1760.  Historians have maintained that initially his knowledge of complex legal procedure was scant, but he had a sharp mind and a natural intellect.  He had a deep understanding of human nature, a quick wit, and superior oratorical skills which permitted him to become a successful lawyer.​

His father was staunchly Anglican, but his mother often took him to hear Presbyterian preachers who impressed him with the oratory skills, which he would adopt later in life.  Religion played a key role in his life, but he grew up becoming uncomfortable with the role of the Anglican Church as the established religion in Virginia, and he fought for religious liberty throughout his career.  
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His fame in the American Revolution came as a delegate to the Second Virginia Convention, which convened at St. John’s Episcopal Church in the town of Richmond, Virginia on March 20, 1775.  The convention was debating complaints against the British.  He argued to raise a militia independent of royal authority because conflict with Britain was inevitable. ​

Patrick Henry. Created 1891. Public Domain. Oil on canvas. George Bagby Matthews (1857 - 1943), after Thomas Sully (1783-1872) - https://www.senate.gov/art-artifacts/fine-art/paintings/31_00011_000.htm

He supposedly concluded his speech with the line: “but as for me, give me liberty or give me death.”  Although he is given credit that his rousing speech at St. John Episcopal Church led to adoption of his amendments opposing British action, scholars have debated the exact wording of “give me liberty or give me death.”

Currier & Ives depiction of Henry giving his famous speech. Created 1876. Public Domain. https://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2001700209/