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Richard Henry Lee
- Born January 20, 1732, at Stratford Hall in Westmoreland County, Virginia
- Parents: Thomas and Hannah Ludwell Lee
- Tutored by private tutors at home as boy
- Sent to England to complete studies at Wakefield Academy
- Returned to Virginia to study law
- Became a Virginia planter
- Held public office:
- Justice of the Peace, Westmoreland County, 1757
- Delegate, Virginia House of Burgesses, 1758 – 1775
- Delegate, Continental Congress, 1775 – 1779
- Signer, Declaration of Independence,1776
- Member, Virginia House of Delegates, 1777, 1780, 1785
- Delegate, Virginia Constitutional Ratification Convention, 1788
- United States Senator, 1789 – 1792
- Resided in Chantilly, Virginia
- Ann Aglett – first wife
- Anne Pinnckard – second wife
- Died June 19, 1794, in Chantilly, Virginia
Aligned with Patrick Henry
Richard Henry Lee was a staunch defender of colonial rights and was aligned with Patrick Henry as a strong opponent of the Stamp Act.
In late 1765, Lee reportedly led a "mob of gentlemen" to confront an official stamp collector and force him to promise never again to perform his duty as a stamp collector. Later, in February 1766, Lee gathered the citizens of his own county together into an "association" to agree to stop importing British goods until the Stamp Act was repealed.
Organizer and supporter of "Day of Fasting, Humiliation, and Prayer"
Lee, along with Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, and a few other burgesses, wrote the 1774 resolution to make June 1, the day when the port of Boston was closed, a day of "Fasting, Humiliation, and Prayer" in support of the citizens of Boston. As a result of this resolution, Lord Dunmore dissolved the assembly, and a number of the burgesses met at the Raleigh Tavern to continue their discussions.
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Telling the story of colonial women.
Kristen Spivey reveals some surprises about 18th-century women and their role in history. March 6, 2006
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Carolyn Wilson on Interpreting an American Lady
Carolyn Wilson talks about her passion for what it means to be an American citizen and her love for interpreting Betty Randolph in Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area. August 15, 2005
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The Declaration of Independence
Hear the words that were catalyst to the Revolution, read by Bill Barker, Colonial Williamsburg's Thomas Jefferson. July 2, 2007
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No Master Over Me
A man purchases his enslaved family to set them free. James Ingram shares the tale. February 4, 2008
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Founders or Traitors
Not all colonists were ready to follow their leaders into revolution. Interpreters Steve Holloway and John Hamant debate in character as John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. December 3, 2007
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Tempted to Enlist
The prospect of ready money tempted many middling men to enlist. Bryan Simpers and Bereni New interpret the Hoys at Colonial Williamsburg. July 30, 2007
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A Patriot, a Traitor, and a Bill of Attainder
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To Boldly Go
Captain James Cook and the Search for the Northwest Passage
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