Patrick Henry was born in Hanover County, Virginia, in 1736. He worked as a storekeeper from 1751 to 1760, when he became a lawyer. Henry entered the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1765. After making a speech in the legislature opposing the Stamp Act, Henry gained a reputation as a radical. During the next 10 years, he became a leader of opposition to the British government . He was a delegate to the First and Second Continental Congresses. In March 1775 Henry called the colonies to prepare to fight Great Britain. He declared, “Give me liberty or give me death!” Henry served as governor of Virginia from 1776 to 1779 and from 1784 to 1786. Even though Henry was a member of the Constitutional Convention, he opposed ratification of the U.S. Constitution. However, he did support a bill of rights. In 1788 Henry returned to his law practice. In 1799 he won a seat in the Virginia legislature but died before he could take office.
