Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death

Patrick Henry (1736-1799) was an American politician who played a significant role in the American Revolution. Born in Virginia, Henry had very little formal education; however, he quickly gained a reputation as a skilled orator and was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1765. He had a deep understanding of the political landscape as a member of the House of Burgesses, which allowed him to tailor “Give me Liberty, or Give me Death” to his audience. He opposed British taxation, believed deeply in individual liberty, and distrusted centralized power—themes that permeate this speech and others that Henry delivered over the course of his career. His track record of resisting British rule in Virginia also gave Henry credibility and authority that made the words in his speech carry extra weight. Consequently, Henry’s speech mobilized support for the American Revolution and helped inspire colonists to take up arms against the British.

In the years following his famous speech, Patrick Henry continued to be an important figure in Virginian and national politics. He advocated for religious freedom and supported a law that became the precursor to the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.