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 In the late 1700’s, Virginia was one of the more populated states in the nation. Although farming was its main source of commerce, the state was very diverse from a social-economic view. Virginia was located near the southern end the colonies/states and had slaves as well as aristocrats in its population.
 * Name: **** Patrick Henry **
 * Group: ** Anti-FederalistAnti-Federalist
 * State: ** Virginia

Patrick Henry was born into a large family, the second child of eleven, in Hanover County, Virginia. His parents were well educated and scholarly. Henry is described as not like his parents; he was considered to be bright but lazy and did not apply himself. He and his brother worked in a store his father bought, it failed. At eighteen, he married his wife Sarah, her dowry a tobacco farm, house and six slaves. He failed at farming, too. He and his wife moved in with her father and he worked for him in his tavern, it was located near the Hanover County courthouse. Henry would watch court proceedings in his spare time and became interested in the legal profession. He worked to become a lawyer and became a success. It’s thought his success was due to his ‘common man’ ways. He did not act or dress like an aristocrat. Henry was known for his ability to sway juries with his persuasive style of speaking, playing on emotion and passion as well as reason. His abilities as a lawyer and speaker led him to be elected into the Virginia Legislature. It was there he proposed the Virginia Stamp Act resolutions. Henry went on to become the first Governor of Virginia is reelected as Governor in 1784 and 1785. He spent much of his life in politics and was appointed by George Washington to Secretary of State. Henry declines the position.
 * Occupation/Socio-economic Background: **

Henry was a member and represented Virginia at the Constitutional Convention in 1744. He sat on several important committees and led the fight against the reconciliation plan with England, which he won.
 * Member of the Constitutional Convention: **

In 1788, 168 delegates from Virginia meet to Ratify or reject the Constitution of the United States. The Federalist, led by James Madison, was in favor of ratification. Patrick Henry, along with other Anti-Federalist opposed the Constitution. One of the major issues of the convention was individual rights. It was augured that the constitution should be amended to include rights similar to the ‘Virginia Declaration of Rights’. The Constitution was ratified by the convention. The convention recommended but did not require the addition of a bill of rights. Many of the ideas presented during this convention were later incorporated into the United States Bill of Rights.  
 * Member of the State’s Ratifying Convention **

Patrick Henry was a strong critic of the constitution proposed in 1787. He was in favor of the strongest possible government for the individual states, and a weak federal government. He was also very critical of the fact that the convention was conducted in secret. Henry thought there needed to be more liberties for the people.
 * Arguments for Ratification **

Patrick Henry’s ideals sided with other Anti-Federalists like Samuel Adams, Thomas Jefferson, George Mason and James Monroe. Federalists, likes George Washington, John Adams, James Madison and John Marshall believed that a strong national government was needed to deal with domestic security, economic conditions and poor international credibility.
 * Allies and Foes **

 1. DeGregorio, William A. __The Complete Book of US Presidents__. Xll ed. Fort Lee, NJ: Barricade Books, 2009.
 * Bibliography **

2 *. Jewett, Thomas.” Patrick Hentry: America's Radical Dissenter." __Early America.__ Archiving Early America. 20 September 2009. < []>.

3. Kindig, Thomas. "Patrick Henry."__U.S. History.org.__Independence Hall Assicoation.20 September 2009.<[].>.