Wirt, William, biographer of Henry, accepts Jefferson’s statements of his illiteracy, [15];
also his statements of his failure to gain a living as a lawyer, [27];
and his ignorance of law, [29];
describes Henry’s speech in the Parsons’ Cause, [48-52];
describes him as, in consequence of Stamp Act debate, the idol of Virginia, [89];
accepts Jefferson’s statement of Henry’s ignorance of law, [94];
says Henry was author of draft of address rejected by Congress, [117], [122];
error of his statement, [118];
his whole treatment of Henry’s part in Congress untrustworthy, [119], [120];
describes him as a mere declaimer, [120];
his mythical description of Henry’s opening speech, [121];
describes his insignificance after the opening day, [122];
his error due to taking Jefferson’s account, [123];
his version of Henry’s militia speech considered by some apocryphal, [149];
question of its genuineness, [149], [150];
accepts Jefferson’s story of a projected dictatorship, but doubts Henry’s connection, [226];
accepts a similar story for 1781, [285];
considers Virginia bar the finest in United States, [360];
describes Henry’s method of argument, [368], [369];
[Pg 454] gives false account of Henry’s religious views, [391].
Witherspoon, John, at first Continental Congress, [106];
instructor of Madison, [190].
Woodford, General William, commands Virginia troops in the field to exclusion of Henry, [179];
ignores him in his reports, [180];
defeats Dunmore at Great Bridge, [180];
permits Rowe of North Carolina to supersede himself, [180];
his officers, however, prefer Henry, [183];
letter of Pendleton to, on Henry’s unfitness to command, [185].
Wythe, George, one of Henry’s legal examiners, [23];
on committee to protest to England against Stamp Act, [66];
believes submission necessary, [67];
opposes Henry’s resolves, [71];
loses leadership to Henry, [89];
prominent at Virginia bar, [93];
leader of conservatives, [95];
in convention of 1776, [190];
favors ratification of federal Constitution, [320].
Young, Captain H., testimony concerning a proposed dictatorship in 1781, [286].
Zane, Isaac, on committee for arming Virginia militia, [151].
AMERICAN MEN OF
LETTERS
Biographies of our most eminent American Authors, written by men who are themselves prominent in the field of letters.
The writers of these biographies are themselves Americans, generally familiar with the surroundings in which their subjects lived and the conditions under which their work was done. Hence the volumes are peculiar for the rare combination of critical judgment with sympathetic understanding. Collectively, the series offers a biographical history of American Literature.