Patrick Henry

Of all the Founding Fathers Patrick Henry was the most ardent advocate for Liberty. He was born in Virginia and was a self educated lawyer and captivating orator. He became a 5 term governor of Virginia, owned a plantation and was a father of 18. He was considered a hero by many of his fellow countryman for challenging British authority to tax the American colonies, and in doing so, became the first Founding Father to defy the threat of death for treason.

It is felt that without Patrick Henry speaking up Americans would probably not have defeated the British and own independence.

He felt the Constitution would give the federal government too much power and threaten state sovereignty and individual liberties. He warned that the document set no limits on congressional taxing powers and gave the POTUS the authority to lead the nation into undeclared wars. He argued that the Constitution failed to protect individual rights and would let the federal government encroach upon every facet of an American's daily life.

He adamantly championed the passage of the Bill of Rights which guarantees freedom of speech, press, religion, the right of trial by jury, and other individual liberties.

Give me Liberty or give me Death!

For more information on Patrick Henry check out the new biography Lion of Liberty: Patrick Henry and the Call to a New Nation by Harlow Giles Unger.