Intellectual Faculties and his Education) was posthu-
mously published in two volumes in 1772. Interest in
his writings remained acute even after his death, and a
complete collection of his works was published in
1796.
Further Reading
Morley, J. Diderot and the Encyclopaedists.London: Macmillan,
1971.
Henry, Patrick (1736–1799) American revolu-
tionary leader, lawyer, and politician
Known for his stirring oratory, Patrick Henry uttered
some of the most famous phrases of the American Rev-
olution (such as “give me liberty, or give me death!”).
Early in the colonial struggle against the British EMPIRE
(the Stamp Act controversy), Henry advocated Ameri-
can independence. He was active in Virginia govern-
ment (House of Burgesses, 1765–74; Continental
Congress, 1774–76; governor, 1776–79; and Constitu-
tional Convention, 1788).
He was a leading ANTIFEDERALIST, arguing against
the new U.S. CONSTITUTION, especially with its lead-
ing proponent, James MADISON. Henry feared that the
new national government would violate individual
and STATES RIGHTS, and he was instrumental in the
addition of the first ten amendments (The Bill of
Rights) to the Constitution, protecting FREEDOMof
speech, press, religion, and criminal rights. An EVAN-
GELICAL CHRISTIAN, he supported the passage of the
Virginia statute for religious freedom (1785). After
the ratification of the federal Constitution, Henry
was reconciled to the new government and became a
FEDERALIST.
Largely self-educated, Henry had a gift of dramatic
speech and became rich as a trial lawyer. He retired to
a plantation farm in central Virginia but remained
active in advising POPULISTpoliticians and church lead-
ers. He represented the rising common people in the
U.S. DEMOCRACY, especially the BAPTISTS, and encour-
aged ordinary people to become involved in politics.
Remembered as a great Revolutionary patriot, his fer-
vent speeches and ringing phrases are still taught to
U.S. school children.
Further Reading
Mayer, Henry. A Son of Thunder: Patrick Henry and the American
Republic.New York: Franklin Watts, 1986.
Henry VIII (1491–1547) English king, political
and religious reformer
Although a brutal dictator, King Henry VIII’s reign as
English monarch (1509–47) is considered significant
for its moves toward MODERNITYin the increased power
of PARLIAMENTand shift towards Protestant CHRISTIAN-
ITY. Fearful of not producing a male heir to continue
the Stuart MONARCHY, Henry sought a divorce from his
barren wife Catherine of Aragon. When the pope
refused to grant an annulment, Henry led Parliament
to pass legislation making the king of England head of
the church. This followed the REFORMATION political
theory of Martin LUTHER on the secular control of
clergy. Henry remained doctrinally CATHOLIC (except
for recognition of the papal supremacy) but opened
the door for Protestantism in the English or Anglican
Church polity. The pope excommunicated Henry with
the support of Thomas MORE. The king proceeded to
dissolve the Catholic monasteries in England, granting
their PROPERTYto various nobles (and thereby gaining
their political support). In 1536, he decreed the use of
the English Bible (over the Latin) in churches, effect-
ing a major Protestant principle of teaching religion in
the vernacular.
Henry VIII’s reign is chiefly remembered for caus-
ing England to separate from the jurisdiction of the
Roman church (“The Bishop of Rome hath no author-
ity in this realm of England” in the English Articles of
Faith); the setting of the royal AUTHORITYover church
affairs; the increased use and power of the REPUBLICAN
Parliament; and the expansion of English influence in
Ireland and the world. Henry was educated in Renais-
sance HUMANISMand took a keen interest in ecclesiasti-
cal matters as a youth. Engaging and bright during his
early years, his adulthood is remembered as brutal,
dictatorial, and cruel.Further Reading
Ridley, Jasper Godwin. Statesman and Saint: Cardinal Wolsey, Sir
Thomas More, and the Politics of Henry VIII.New York:
Viking Press, 1961.Herder, Johann Gottfried von (1744–1803)
Philosopher and cultural historian
Herder was one of KANT’s students in the Prussian
town of Köningsberg in the 1760s, and it was against
the spirit of Kant’s ENLIGHTENMENTideas that Herder
devoted his writings. In particular, Herder challenged136 Henry, Patrick