Work Title: The Letters of Richard Henry Lee (2 vols.)

Epistolary portrait of the mover of Independence; primary source set functioning as biography.

Public domain; Archive.org.

Richard Henry Lee

Early Life and Political Foundations

Richard Henry Lee was born on January 20, 1732, in Westmoreland County, Virginia. Educated in England, he returned to Virginia with a strong sense of civic duty and quickly became active in colonial politics. His eloquence and commitment to liberty earned him a prominent role in the House of Burgesses.

Revolutionary Leadership

Lee was among the earliest and most forceful advocates for independence. In June 1776, he introduced the resolution in the Continental Congress declaring “that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States.” This motion led directly to the drafting and adoption of the Declaration of Independence.

Congressional Service

Lee served in the Continental Congress throughout the Revolution, helping to shape wartime policy and postwar governance. He was a signer of the Articles of Confederation and remained a vocal proponent of states’ rights and republican principles. His leadership helped unify the colonies during a time of great uncertainty.

Anti-Federalist Advocacy

Though he supported the Constitution’s goals, Lee opposed its ratification without a Bill of Rights. He feared centralized power and worked to ensure that individual liberties would be protected. His writings and speeches influenced the eventual adoption of the first ten amendments.

Final Years and Legacy

Lee served as a U.S. Senator from Virginia and retired due to ill health. He died on June 19, 1794. His legacy as a bold advocate for independence and a principled defender of liberty remains central to the founding narrative. His motion for independence marked a turning point in American history.

Source:
McCabe, James D. The Centennial Book of American Biography: Embracing the Lives of the Great Men Whose Deeds Illustrate the First 100 Years of American Independence. Philadelphia and Chicago: P. W. Ziegler & Co., 1876. Internet Archive