The Mind of a Patriot

The Mind of a Patriot Patrick Henry and the World of Ideas

Hardback (30 Oct 2008)

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Publisher's Synopsis

The Mind of a Patriot presents an intellectual life of a major figure who has traditionally been seen as an anti-intellectual 'child of nature'. This was the view of Patrick Henry that William Wirt presented in his ""Life of Henry"", and it has pervaded every biography since. Hayes presents a very different view of Henry. Starting with neglected pieces of evidence - the inventory of Henry's library - Hayes' unique perspective allows him to position Henry's life within the intellectual currents of the day.After the opening chapter, which shows how Thomas Jefferson's opinions of Henry influenced Wirt's depiction of him, the author traces Henry's life through his relationship with the world of books. Individual chapters examine Henry's education; his legal career; his use of books to improve his speaking style; his relationship to the antislavery movement; his use of books as a legislator, a farmer, and a father; and, ultimately, the place of books in his life during his waning years. In a lengthy appendix, Hayes reconstructs Henry's library, presenting a detailed catalogue of its contents.

Book information

ISBN: 9780813927589
Publisher: University of Virginia Press
Imprint: University of Virginia Press
Pub date:
DEWEY: 973.3092
DEWEY edition: 22
Language: English
Number of pages: 184
Weight: 412g
Height: 229mm
Width: 140mm
Spine width: 21mm