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I love this Biography Brief. It explains soooo much!!! But Wikipedia has much, much more....

Patrick Henry Biography 29 May 1736 - 6 June 1799

Patrick Henry embodied the spirit of American courage and patriotism. He is recognized today, as he was among his contemporaries, as the orator of liberty. His compelling speeches kindled the fires of the Revolution and fueled the effort to secure freedom.

Henry's was the first voice raised against England in her attempt to impose taxation without representation. He rose to his full stature in attacking the infamous Stamp Act, which was hotly debated at the House of Burgesses in Williamsburg in 1765. The other delegates quailed when Henry hurled defiance at George III with the challenge, "If this be treason, make the most of it."

During the second Virginia Convention, his most famous speech was delivered in 1775 at St. John's Church in Richmond. His words became the clarion call that led the colonies into the Revolution. With courage and elegance, he cried, "I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death." Henry's leadership did not end once the Revolution was won. Perhaps his greatest contribution to the nation was in working toward the adoption of the Bill of Rights. While desiring a more effective government, he was adamant in demanding protection of basic individual liberties.

The first governor of Virginia, Henry served five exhausting terms. In 1794, he retired to Red Hill and resumed his private legal practice. Failing health forced him to refuse numerous posts, including Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Secretary of State, and minister to Spain and to France. He even turned down a sixth term as governor.

George Washington persuaded Patrick Henry to become a candidate for the state legislature in 1799. The foundations of the young republic were endangered by the rumblings of men who argued that any state has the power to nullify acts of the Federal Government. Bowed with age and his health deteriorating, Henry delivered his last public oration. It was an inspirational, non-partisan, patriotic appeal for unity to preserve the nation. Historian Henry Adams declared that nothing in Henry's life was more noble than his last public act.

Three months later, on June 6, 1799, death came to Patrick Henry. The "Voice of the Revolution" was silenced forever.