Liberty or Death: Patrick Henry, Theatrical Song, and Transatlantic Patriot Politics
Department
History and Philosophy
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2023
Abstract
This “Consider the Source” piece examines the origins of Patrick Henry’s well-known phrase “Give me liberty or give me death!” It suggests that Henry may have borrowed from one of the least elevated of literary contexts: a comedic musical interlude from the London stage. This potential connection both affirms the transatlantic nature of American revolutionary rhetoric and shows that the locus of this rhetorical exchange was socially broad, occurring across “low” as well as elite genres.
Journal Title
Early American Studies
Journal ISSN
15434273
Volume
21
Issue
3
First Page
491
Last Page
505
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
10.1353/EAM.2023.A904223
COinS