For Patrick Henry, 1736-99, patriot, orator. "Give me liberty or give me death." Va. House of Burgesses, 1765; the Continental Congress, 1774-76; Gov. of Va., 1776-79 and 1784-86. Opposed Va. ratification of U.S. Const., 1788, without Bill of Rights; later added. Declined appointments as U.S. Senator, Secretary of State, Chief Justice, Minister to France.