He was the son of Judge Spencer Roane and the grandson of Founding Father Patrick Henry.

Born in Virginia, Roane pursued in preparatory studies as a young man.

He was later elected a Democrat to the United States Senate to fill a vacancy, serving from 1837 to 1841.

After an unsuccessful bid for reelection, Roane engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death on May 11, 1845, in Tree Hill, Virginia.

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