Richard Henry Lee

Lee, Richard Henry (1732–94), American Revolutionary statesman. He was a Virginia delegate (1774–79, 1784–87) and president (1784–85) of the Continental Congress. On June 7, 1776, he introduced the motion that led to the Declaration of Independence. He opposed ratification of the U.S. Constitution, fearing its limits on states' rights. As a U.S. senator from Virginia, 1789–92, he helped secure adoption of the Bill of Rights.