Biography of Patrick Henry

Biography of Patrick Henry

Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of

chains and slavery? These noble, forthright words were spoken by a

fiery young patriot and great orator who had dedicated his life to the

goal of winning rights for the people of America.

Patrick Henry was born on May 29 of the year 1736 in Studley, Hanover

County, Virginia. He grew up in a Presbyterian believing home,

Patrick's father, John Henry, was a Scott, who taught Patrick most of

his schooling until he was about fifteen.

As Patrick grew up, people found him to be a charming, bright young

boy with a gentle, sweet spirit and a good sense of humor. Yet he was

still a boy, who loved to hunt with his Uncle, and working was not his

fancy. So, John Henry, observing that Patrick and his older brother

Jack, in his eyes, were not wisely using their time, he decided that

he would try having them run a general store together. This idea,

brought about in 1751, was at first, pleasing to the boys. However,

when Jack, known to his family as, "the lazy boy", began again to live

up to his nickname, and eventually, Patrick was running the store by

himself. However, even with this distraction gone, the soft-hearted,

fearless Patrick not only collected so many "to pays" that he became

hopelessly in-debt, but also scared away, or argued with his customers

with his strong and usually very persuasive arguments on political

matters. It sometimes got so out of hand that he would not see or hear

his customers coming and going. After failing twice at this career in

a span of seven years, Patrick decided to try farming in the year

1753. This too, afte...

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...et, this bold,

courageous man will never die in the eyes of the American people.

"…. Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and

in sick a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any

force which our enemy can send against us. …… It is in vain, sir, to

extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace- but there is no

peace. The war has 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!"(World Book, 1).