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Learner Reviews & Feedback for Patrick Henry: Forgotten Founder by University of Virginia

4.9
stars
177 ratings

About the Course

“Give me liberty, or give me death:” Remembering Patrick Henry, the Forgotten Founder Patrick Henry was enormously popular during the American Revolution. Even Thomas Jefferson, who over time developed a deep loathing of Henry (some would say jealousy), had to admit that “it is not now easy to say what we should have done without Patrick Henry.” Edmund Randolph, a patriot leader in his own right, explained that “It was Patrick Henry … awakening the genius of his country, and binding a band of patriots together to hurl defiance at the tyranny of so formidable a nation as Great Britain.” Yet, today, Patrick Henry is ill-remembered; most Americans might recall at best perhaps a snippet from a famous speech: “give me liberty, or give me death.” The reasons for our historic forgetfulness are several: after the Revolution, Henry chose to oppose ratification of the U.S. Constitution, believing that it created a distant and too-powerful government, and he refused proffered position in George Washington’s administration, diminishing his historic memory. Equally important, Henry died in 1799 shortly after a political campaign in which, at Washington’s behest, he opposed Jefferson’s and James Madison’s ill-advised radical states’ rights attack on the U.S. government, and Jefferson spent the next twenty-six years systematically attacking Henry’s legacy. Patrick Henry, who helped to ignite a revolution, deserves better. This course will explore how he over¬came challenges to reach the pinnacle of Virginia politics and unite Americans behind a challenge to Britain – the eighteenth century’s super-power, why he opposed the U.S. Constitu¬tion, and why he then came out of retirement to defend the people’s Constitution against the attacks of Jefferson and Madison. Participants should evaluate Henry’s role in proclaiming a revolution and consider whether he had an equally important role in saving it. The course should also develop an improved appreciation for the complex political, economic, and religious forces that shaped the early republic. As a biographical course, it also demonstrates how personalities play an important role in even the most foundational national history. Image Attribution: The background image for this webpage is Patrick Henry before the Virginia House of Burgesses by Peter F. Rothermel (1851) with special thanks to the owner, the Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation. The painting of Patrick Henry's 1765 "Caesar had his Brutus" speech (discussed in the second lecture) is entirely romanticized -- neither Henry nor the House of Burgesses looked at all like this -- but it does show that hagiography of Henry, almost god-like veneration, began shortly after this death....

Top reviews

LM

Jun 30, 2019

Excellent course for anyone interested in American History. Enjoyable lectures. Loved that some of the lectures were filmed at the actual location. Easy to understand. Highly recommend.

HH

Apr 5, 2020

This was a wonderful course! Dr. Ragosta was knowledgable, and his lectures interesting and engaging. This course should be required viewing for anyone studying American history!

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51 - 75 of 97 Reviews for Patrick Henry: Forgotten Founder

By Fernando R

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Dec 2, 2019

This is an excellent course. I have learned a lot about Patrick Henry. Very detailed and the professor is excellent!!

By James B N

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Jul 22, 2017

Very interesting course presented in a way that motivates the student to delve further into the subject.

Great fun!!!

By Kimberly R

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May 8, 2020

Great information presented in an easy to understand format. I'm actually sad the course only takes 5 weeks!

By Ronald A Y

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Mar 18, 2021

Enjoyed the course and learned a lot about the man that isn't taught in our institutions.

By Janice O

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Apr 26, 2020

I thought the course was excellent - clearly presented and thought provoking! Thank you.

By JOHN Q

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Jul 5, 2017

Interesting class regarding one of the real founders of this country. Thanks so much!

By Jamie P

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Jun 20, 2019

I already knew a lot about Mr. Henry but with this course I learned so much more.

By Clarke S

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Jan 7, 2021

Outstanding course. Dr. Ragosta is a very scholarly and entertaining presenter.

By Joseph B

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Aug 4, 2017

John Ragosta brilliantly sheds light on this critical forgotten founding father.

By Don D

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Aug 16, 2020

Really enjoyed this course. Was not aware of the great legacy of Patrick Henry.

By John C L

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Jul 3, 2020

outstanding teacher

I learned so much about American History and Patrick Henry

By Adam L

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Aug 7, 2017

Learned a lot about a founding father that I had little knowledge of before.

By ines p b

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Jan 4, 2024

Muy claro e interesante con detalles de la historia que no conocíamos

By John C

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Aug 1, 2022

Well designed, easy to follow along with and incredibly informative!

By earl b

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Sep 19, 2021

I really enjoyed it and learned a lot about "Our ForgottenFounder".

By Howard S B

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Jan 12, 2022

This course is an excellent overview of Patrick Henry's life.

By Dutch G

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Nov 17, 2021

Excellent. Very informative and a well balanced presentation.

By Donette C

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Sep 21, 2020

A wonderful course! Very interesting and well organized!

By Kathy A M

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May 15, 2022

Course was very interesting. So much I didn't know.

By Rick C

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Mar 19, 2021

Entertaining and Insightful, Highly recommended

By Sharon S

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Apr 3, 2018

Excellent course, most interesting instructor.

By Robert B

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Jan 30, 2018

One of the best history classes from Coursera.

By jennifer d

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Jun 22, 2020

I thoroughly enjoyed John Ragosta's lectures!

By Barbara S

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Jan 3, 2021

This was a fantastic and well paced course!

By KIP B

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Jan 1, 2023

Brilliant Instructor. Fantastic material.