William Penn

William Penn memorial

Coat of Arms of William Penn

William Penn at 22 1666

William Penn & William Mead - plaque - 01

The Birth of Pennsylvania 1680 cph.3g07157

The belt of wampum delivered by the Indians to William Penn at the "Great Treaty" (1682)

William Penn (14 October 1644 – 30 July 1718) was an English Quaker leader and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, the English North American colony and the future Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was an early advocate of democracy and religious freedom, notable for his good relations and successful treaties with the Lenape Indians. Under his direction, the city of Philadelphia was planned and developed.

Early Life

William Penn was born in London, England, the son of Sir William Penn, an admiral in the Royal Navy, and Margaret Jasper, from a Dutch family previously engaged in trade. Penn was educated first at Chigwell School, Essex, where he gained an appreciation for the Quaker faith. He later attended Christ Church, Oxford, but was expelled for his nonconformist beliefs.

Conversion to Quakerism

In 1666, after various travels and a brief imprisonment for his religious beliefs, Penn became a committed Quaker. His conversion was influenced by the preaching of Thomas Loe, a Quaker missionary. Penn's embrace of Quakerism came at a time when members of the faith were persecuted under English law. His writings and persistent advocacy for religious freedom became central to his life's work.

Founding of Pennsylvania

In 1681, in settlement of a debt owed to his father, King Charles II granted Penn a large tract of land in the New World. This land became Pennsylvania. Penn envisioned it as a place where people facing religious persecution in Europe could find refuge and live in peace. The Frame of Government of Pennsylvania was a constitution that granted freedom of worship in the colony and outlined a democratic government that influenced the future United States Constitution.

Philadelphia and Relations with Native Americans

Penn founded Philadelphia, planning the city on a grid system that became the model for many American cities. He also established a treaty with the Lenape Indians, which was remarkable for its fair treatment and mutual respect between the colonists and Native Americans. This treaty ensured peace in the region for several decades.

Later Years and Legacy

Penn spent his later years in England, facing financial difficulties and imprisonment for debt. Despite these challenges, he continued to write and advocate for the Quaker faith and its principles. He died in 1718 and was buried in Buckinghamshire, England.

Penn's legacy is significant in American history. His commitment to religious freedom, fair dealings with Native Americans, and democratic governance left a lasting impact on the development of the United States.