Legislator and Revolutionary statesman, born in Westmoreland Co, Virginia, USA. He strenuously opposed the Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts. He became a leader of the radical wing of the Virginia House of Burgesses, where he was associated with Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry. In June 1776 he introduced the resolution in Congress which led directly to the drafting of the Declaration of Independence. Later, he continued to serve in Congress, but he refused to attend the Constitutional Convention (1787) and vigorously opposed the new Constitution. As a US senator (178992) he worked for the ideas that were embodied in the Bill of Rights (1791).
| Richard Henry Lee | |
|
Delegate to the Continental Congress President of the United States in Congress assembled United States Senator |
|
| Continental Congress | |
|---|---|
| In office | |
| 1774 – 1779 | |
| President of the United States in Congress assembled | |
| In office | |
| 1784 – 1785 | |
| Preceded by | Thomas Mifflin |
| Succeeded by | John Hancock |
| Born |
January 20, 1732 Stratford Hall Plantation, Westmoreland County, Virginia |
| Died |
June 19, 1794 Chantilly in Westmoreland County |
| Office | US Senate |
| Term | 1789 – 1792 |
| Spouse | 1st Ann Aylett, 2nd Anne Gaskins Pinckard |
Richard Henry Lee (January 20, 1732–June 19, 1794) was an American who served as the sixth President of the United States in Congress assembled under the Articles of Confederation, holding office from November 30, 1784 to November 22, 1785. In Lee's Resolution, Lee put forth the motion to the Continental Congress to declare Independence from England. which read (in part): "Resolved: That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved." Due to Lee's absence from the Congress because of his wife's illness, Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the Declaration. April 13, 1850)
Quotes
“To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them.” Richard Henry Lee
“Resolved: That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.” Richard Henry Lee
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