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Lunch at the Library: For the People, For the Country: Patrick Henry’s Final Political Battle

Thomas Pritchard Rossiter's painting Palmy Days at Mount Vernon (1866) shows the Washingtons entertaining outdoors. The artist identified three men at the center as (left to right) Patrick Henry, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison (MVLA).

Join us for lunch and compelling discussion with award-winning author John A. Ragosta, who will discuss his new book For the People, For the Country: Patrick Henry’s Final Political Battle. 

This event is part of the Washington Library's new Lunch at the Library series. A boxed lunch (including sandwich or salad, fruit, pasta, cookie, chips, and drink) will be provided.

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Cost

$30

About the Book

In 1799, at the behest of President George Washington, Patrick Henry came out of retirement to defend the Constitution that he had once opposed and to thwart Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, whom Washington accused of putting party over country and threatening the still fragile union. For the People, For the Country tells the remarkable story of how the most eloquent public speaker of the American Revolutionary era and a leading antifederalist during debates over ratification of the Constitution reemerged on the side of the federalists and once again changed history.

Much more than a fire-breathing demagogue, the Patrick Henry we encounter here comes to life as a principled leader of the young nation who believed in working with a government elected by the people. His insistence that those opposing government policy seek change “in a constitutional way” – at the ballot box – continues to speak loudly today. A gripping narrative, this book will change long-held views of this great Founding Father.

 

John A. Ragosta

An award-winning author, John A. Ragosta is a historian, lawyer, and beekeeper living in Charlottesville, Virginia. He is currently a historian at the Robert H. Smith International Center for Jefferson Studies at Monticello and a fellow at Virginia Humanities.

He has taught history and law at the University of Virginia, George Washington University, Hamilton, Oberlin, and Randolph Colleges. His book, Patrick Henry: Proclaiming a Revolution, was released by Routledge Press in late 2016 and is the basis for a MOOC (massive open online course) sponsored by the University of Virginia and the Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation.

Before returning to academia, Dr. Ragosta was a partner at Dewey Ballantine LLP. 

Ragosta has both his PhD and JD from the University of Virginia; he also holds a Bachelor of Science in physics-chemistry with a double major in philosophy.

Dr. Ragosta is a frequent commentator and lecturer and welcomes opportunities to speak about his publications or other topics in history and law.

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