Richard Henry Lee

Richard Henry Lee
Charles Willson Peale · Public domain · source
Name	Richard Henry Lee
State	Virginia
Term	March 4, 1789 – October 8, 1792
Birth date	January 20, 1732
Birth place	Westmoreland County, Virginia
Death date	June 19, 1794
Death place	Westmoreland County, Virginia
Party	Anti-Administration
Spouse	Anne Aylett Lee, Anne Gaskins Lee
Occupation	Planter, politician

Richard Henry Lee was a prominent figure in the American Revolution, serving as a delegate to the Continental Congress and playing a key role in the Declaration of Independence. He was a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses and the United States Senate, representing Virginia. Lee was also a close friend and ally of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Patrick Henry. He was a strong advocate for states' rights and individual liberties, often finding himself at odds with Alexander Hamilton and the Federalist Party.

● Early Life and Education

Richard Henry Lee was born on January 20, 1732, in Westmoreland County, Virginia, to Thomas Lee and Hannah Ludwell Lee. He was educated at home, studying Latin, Greek, and mathematics, before attending Eton College in England. Lee's family was prominent in Virginia society, with his father serving as a justice of the peace and his brother, Francis Lightfoot Lee, also becoming involved in politics. Lee's early life was influenced by his family's connections to the Virginia gentry, including the Fairfax family and the Carter family. He was also familiar with the works of John Locke, Algernon Sidney, and Cato's Letters, which shaped his views on liberty and government.

● Career

Lee began his career in politics in 1758, serving as a justice of the peace in Westmoreland County, Virginia. He later became a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses, where he served alongside George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Patrick Henry. In 1765, Lee spoke out against the Stamp Act, arguing that it was a violation of the rights of Englishmen. He continued to serve in the Virginia House of Burgesses until 1774, when he was appointed to the Continental Congress. Lee was a strong supporter of the Sons of Liberty and the Committee of Correspondence, working closely with Samuel Adams and John Adams to coordinate resistance to British rule. He was also a member of the Virginia Convention, which drafted the Virginia Declaration of Rights.

● American Revolution

In 1776, Lee introduced the Lee Resolution to the Continental Congress, calling for independence from Great Britain. The resolution was adopted on July 2, 1776, and led to the drafting of the Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman. Lee served on the Committee of Foreign Affairs and the Board of War, working to secure French support for the American cause. He was a strong advocate for the Treaty of Alliance with France and the Treaty of Amity and Commerce with the Dutch Republic. Lee also played a key role in the Battle of Saratoga, serving as a liaison between Horatio Gates and the Continental Congress.

● Later Life and Legacy

After the American Revolution, Lee returned to Virginia and served in the United States Senate from 1789 to 1792. He was a strong opponent of the Federalist Party and the Jay Treaty, arguing that they threatened the sovereignty of the states. Lee was also a vocal critic of Alexander Hamilton's economic policies, including the Whiskey Act and the Tariff of 1789. He retired from politics in 1792 and returned to his estate in Westmoreland County, Virginia, where he died on June 19, 1794. Lee's legacy as a champion of liberty and states' rights has endured, with his name becoming synonymous with the American Revolution and the principles of '76. He is remembered alongside other Founding Fathers, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison.

● Personal Life

Lee married Anne Aylett Lee in 1757, and the couple had six children together. After Anne's death in 1768, Lee married Anne Gaskins Lee, with whom he had two more children. Lee was a member of the Episcopal Church and served as a vestryman in the Westmoreland Parish. He was also a Freemason, belonging to the Freemasons' Lodge in Westmoreland County, Virginia. Lee's personal life was marked by his strong sense of family and community, with his connections to the Virginia gentry and the Sons of Liberty playing a significant role in shaping his views and actions. He was a close friend and ally of George Mason, James Monroe, and John Taylor of Caroline, with whom he shared a commitment to liberty and limited government.