Patrick Henry “I know of no way to judge the future except by its past. » Patrick Henry wrote famous and recognized speeches. Henry was a very persuasive writer and he changed the world in many ways. Patrick Henry was a driving force during the American Revolution with his powerful and motivating political rhetoric. Henry was born on May 29, 1736 in Studley in Hanover County, Virginia (Red Hill). His father John Henry was a planter of Scottish origin. His father educated young Patrick at home, notably teaching him to read Latin, but Patrick studied law on his own (history). His mother Sarah Winston Syme was a young widow from a prominent gentry family (Red Hill). Henry attended a local school for a few years and received the remainder of his education from his father who had attended Kings College in Abedeen. At age fifteen, Henry began working as a clerk for a local merchant. At the age of eighteen, having not yet found his profession, he married Sarah Shelton, then sixteen years old. Her dowry was a 600-acre farm called Pine Slash, a house, and six slaves. Henry's first attempt as a planter was ruined when a fire destroyed his house in 1757 (Red Hill). As he approached his twenty-fourth birthday, he decided to become a lawyer. He was self-taught and barley-prepared, Henry convinced Virginia's panel of well-known lawyers, Wythe and Randolph, that he had the intelligence to warrant his admission to the bar (Red Hill). Through his energy and talents, and the encouragement of his prominent family, Henry established a successful practice in the courts of Hanover and adjacent counties. Henry's legal career began in December 1763 with his enthusiasm for the preacher's cause, a disagreement rooted in behaviors...... middle of paper ......ak, act and fight for liberty of the people (Godfather). When he delivered this speech in March 1775, he was trying to arouse the passions of the colonials who still felt usefully disposed toward Britain despite the growing threat of military force against the colonies (Godfather). In March 1775, Patrick Henry urged his fellow Virginians to arm themselves to defend themselves, closing his appeal with the well-known words: “I know not what line to take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death” (History). The colonies faced increasing taxes from Britain. For years, the colonies complained to Britain, but nothing was done. Henry was a very motivated person. He used very persuasive techniques in his writings and speeches. He was a leader, he led the state of Virginia during the first part of the war. He was a very honest man and always put others before himself...