In which year did Patrick Henry say, “...but as for me, give me liberty or give my death”?

Patrick Henry (1736-1799) was an American attorney, planter, politician, and orator best known for his declaration to the Second Virginia Convention in 1775. He is considered one of the Founding Fathers serving as the first and then the sixth post-colonial governor of Virginia from 1775 to 1779 and again from 1784 to 1786.

In his early childhood years the religious revival known as the Great Awakening reached Virginia. His mother took him to hear preachers including Samuel Davies (1723-1761), a Presbyterian evangelist. Davies taught Henry that one should not only save one’s soul, but one should help to save society. He also learned that oratory should reach the heart, not just persuade others based on reason.

Henry was convinced that a separation between the Old World and the New World was inevitable. Taxation without representation was one of the issues among others including egregious policies implemented by the British Parliament called the ‘Intolerable Acts’. When Parliament declared Virginia and other states to be in a status of rebellion, Henry rose to the floor to encourage the Virginia House of Burgesses to prepare for war.

His speech on March 25, 1775 was an exhortation to action, ending with the concluding plea:

“Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”