signers of the Declaration

Signers of the Declaration of Independence

Short biographies on each of the 56 Declaration signers


Francis Lightfoot Lee

1734-1797

Virginia House of Burgesses, Representing Virginia at the Continental Congress

Lee
by Ole Erekson, Engraver, c1876, Library of Congress
Born:October 14, 1734
Birthplace:Westmoreland County, Virginia.
Education:Private, (Farmer)
Work:Member of the Virginia House of Burgesses 1758-75; Elected to Continental Congress, 1775-79, Member of Virginia Senate.
Died:January 11, 1797

Francis Lightfoot Lee (brother of R.H. Lee) was born in Westmoreland, Virginia, on the fourteenth of October, 1734. He was educated at home by Doctor Craig, in the manner of an enlightened country gentleman. In 1765 he was elected to the Virginia House of Burgesses, where he served until 1775. He was a noted radical, on the side of Patrick Henry in opposing the Stamp Act. He Joined the group who called for a general congress and a Virginia Convention in 1774. He attended that convention and that year was sent to the first Continental Congress. He represented his state there until 1779, working on numerous committees. He retired from the Congress in 1779 and returned to his home. He served for a while in the Virginia Senate and then retired to private life. He died in 1797.


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