biography
| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (1644–1718)
|
| biography:
| Quaker reformer and colonialist, the founder of Pennsylvania, born in London, UK. Sent down from Oxford for refusing to conform to the restored Anglican Church, he joined the Quakers in 1666, was imprisoned for his writings (1668), and while in the Tower wrote the most popular of his books, No Cross, No Crown. In 1681 he obtained a grant of land in North America, which he called Pennsylvania in honour of his father, Admiral Sir William Penn (1621–70). He sailed in 1682, and governed the colony for two years. After his return, he supported James II, and worked for religious tolerance. In 1699 he made a second visit to Pennsylvania, where his constitution had proved unworkable, and much had to be altered. After a permanent Charter was agreed (1701), he returned to England, where he remained until his death. |
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