A Patrick Henry education

Patrick Henry (1736-1799)

Henry was a famous American politician and lawyer during the years of the American War for Independence. Perhaps his most famous speech, given before the Virginia House of Burgesses, declared that submission to the tyranny of George III was tantamount to slavery and at complete odds to the principles of liberty found in the English Constitution. He refused to live under slavery and declared that he would prefer “liberty or death.” After the war he became known as an anti-federalist for his opposition to the United States Constitution. He predicted several developments from adopting the constitution that have since become a reality, such as an income tax and government controlled education.

Henry is a perfect model for classical education. His father, who had been raised on atypical classical education, tutored him in math as well as ancient and modern history. According to biographer David Vaughan, “by the time Henry was fifteen, he could read Virgil and Livy in the original.” Henry also had an astonishing command of the English language as well as some French learning. Henry’s education was augmented by his natural and artistic studies as well. His love of nature led him to spend great amounts of time outdoors. His biographers report that he spent long hours in meditation in his youth. He was also an accomplished violinist. Vaughan reports that while recuperating from a broken collarbone at the age of twelve, he mastered the flute.

Patrick Henry’s education was not exceptional for the time in which he lived, it was quite normal. We would be well-served to have children educated like Henry today. If we did, we might have leaders like Henry tomorrow.