Author Patrick Henry, who is considered one of the Great American authors, wrote during the rationalism period. He wrote “Give Me Liberty, or Give me Death”, in 1775. In this work, we can see evidence of the characteristics, themes and style identified with the rationalism movement which was extant in American letters between 1750 and 1800. Patrick Henry wrote during this time period of American literature, and as such, remains one of the most identifiable and iconic writers of his time.
Patrick Henry was born on May 29, 1736 in Studley, Virginia and died of cancer in Red Hill, Virginia on June 6, 1799. Patrick Henry is the second son of John Henry, a farmer, and Sarah Winston. Patrick married Sarah Shelton, like his father, he became …show more content…
By 1760 Patrick decided he wanted to become a lawyer; he taught himself for a year and was put in an association for lawyers. By 1763 Patrick came to terms with a couple things: he loves to help people and he loved to speak publicly. While criticizing a church during a lawsuit, he also criticized British government, blaming the British government for the church’s rude actions. Patrick’s comments about the British government made him popular and his fans got him out of the courtroom. Years later, Patrick was a member of the House of Burgesses and made speeches against the stamp act passed by Britain. Patrick supported others who were against the stamp act, which made him even more popular. For a decade, Patrick and others lead the anti-British movement in the Virginia legislature. In the 1770’s (the peak of Patrick’s career) Patrick traveled with George Washington and others as representatives of Virginia to the First Continental Congress (a group of representatives that meet in Philadelphia). In March of 1775 Patrick made the most famous speech of American history in the first Virginia Revolutionary Convention. This speech is what granted Virginia independence from Britain, most famous for the quote “Give me Liberty, or Give
Patrick Henry was born on May 29, 1736 in Studley, Virginia and died of cancer in Red Hill, Virginia on June 6, 1799. Patrick Henry is the second son of John Henry, a farmer, and Sarah Winston. Patrick married Sarah Shelton, like his father, he became …show more content…
By 1760 Patrick decided he wanted to become a lawyer; he taught himself for a year and was put in an association for lawyers. By 1763 Patrick came to terms with a couple things: he loves to help people and he loved to speak publicly. While criticizing a church during a lawsuit, he also criticized British government, blaming the British government for the church’s rude actions. Patrick’s comments about the British government made him popular and his fans got him out of the courtroom. Years later, Patrick was a member of the House of Burgesses and made speeches against the stamp act passed by Britain. Patrick supported others who were against the stamp act, which made him even more popular. For a decade, Patrick and others lead the anti-British movement in the Virginia legislature. In the 1770’s (the peak of Patrick’s career) Patrick traveled with George Washington and others as representatives of Virginia to the First Continental Congress (a group of representatives that meet in Philadelphia). In March of 1775 Patrick made the most famous speech of American history in the first Virginia Revolutionary Convention. This speech is what granted Virginia independence from Britain, most famous for the quote “Give me Liberty, or Give