'William Penn' Summary

William Penn was born in London in 1644. He was the son of a wealthy merchant and was raised in a Puritan household. However, he converted to Quakerism in his early twenties, which led to a break with his family. Penn became a prominent Quaker preacher and writer, and he traveled extensively to promote his beliefs. In 1681, Penn received a charter from King Charles II to establish a colony in North America. Penn named the colony Pennsylvania, and he envisioned it as a 'Holy Experiment' in religious tolerance and social harmony. Penn governed Pennsylvania for several years, and he implemented many of his Quaker ideals. He established a representative assembly, granted religious freedom to all settlers, and promoted peace with the Native Americans. Penn also played a role in the development of the American colonies. He was a member of the Continental Congress, and he served as a diplomat between the colonies and Great Britain. Penn died in England in 1718, but his legacy continues to this day. Pennsylvania remains a Quaker-influenced state, and Penn's ideas about religious tolerance and peace have had a profound impact on American society.