William Penn

Penn, William (1644–1718), English Quaker, advocate of religious tolerance, and founder of Pennsylvania. He wrote numerous tracts on Quaker beliefs and was several times imprisoned for his nonconformity. In 1681, he and 11 others bought the rights to eastern New Jersey, and he received a vast province on the west bank of Delaware River in settlement of a debt owed by Charles II to Penn's father. Thousands of European Quakers emigrated there in search of religious and political freedom. In 1682 Penn visited the colony and witnessed the fulfillment of his plans for the city of Philadelphia. He returned in 1699 to revise the constitution.

See also: Quakers.