Patrick Henry
"Give me liberty or give me death."
WHO HE WAS: Patrick Henry served as the governor of Virginia during the Revolutionary War but he is best known for saying: "Give me liberty, or give me death." This was the final sentence in a speech that he gave to the people at the Virginia Provincial Convention. He was attempting to convince the delegates to form a militia (group of soldiers) to fight for Virginia against the British.
He attended public school for only a very short time and was schooled by his father. Patrick Henry owned a store for a period of time but was not a good businessman and lost the store. After that, he studied law. He also is known as the first person who used the phrase "fellow citizens" to describe other Americans.
WHAT HE SAID: Here's more from that famous speech: "Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. "Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat, but in submission and slavery. Our chains are forged. Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable, and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come! "It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, peace, peace, but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!" -- Given at the Virginia Provincial Convention on March 23, 1775
