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People of the Revolutionary War | Patriots of the American Revolution | William Penn
William Penn
Born: October 14, 1644
It is a reproach to religion and government to suffer so
much poverty and excess.
- William Penn, Some Fruits of Solitude
Born the privileged son of a land-owning gentleman, young William Penn was greatly affected by
the preaching of Quaker minister Thomas Loe. Expelled from Oxford University in England in 1662
for refusing to conform to the Anglican Church, Penn joined the Quakers. He was locked up in the
Tower of London four times for stating his beliefs in public and in print. After his father died
in 1670, Penn inherited the family estates and began to frequent the court of King Charles II,
campaigning for religious freedom.
Seeing no prospects for religious tolerance or political reform in England, Penn looked to America,
which he had visited briefly in 1677. In a 1682 document, Penn guaranteed absolute freedom of
worship in Pennsylvania. Rich in fertile lands as well as religious freedom, the colony attracted
settlers and grew rapidly.
Penn is also remembered for peaceful interaction with the Lenni Lenape Indians and his draft of
the Plan of Union, a forerunner of the U.S. Constitution. Thanks to William Penn, Pennsylvania,
which guaranteed religious freedom for its citizens, was established in the New World.
Pennsylvania means Penn's Woods. William Penn, got it from his dad, who got it from Charles II
(the Merry Monarch). Pennsylvania was established by Quakers. Quakers thought that people should
believe inwardly, and did not need the guidance of a church or clergy. The rejected war, didn't
like slavery, and wanted religious toleration.
Native Americans sign a treaty with William Penn. Penn purchased land from the Indians to establish
his new colony even though the King of England had already given him legal title to the land.
William Penn's Last Farewell to England
"William Penn as Law-Giver", - Violet Oakley
Mural, Supreme Court room, State Capitol, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
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