William Penn was an English Quaker and the founder of Pennsylvania. He was born in 1644 at London and died in 1718. The son of Admiral Penn he was educated at Oxford where he joined the new sect of Quakers, and was expelled from the university. For a few years he traveled in France and Italy, and became a court favorite in England. From this life he turned to become a minister of the Society of Friends. This step led to a break with his father, to imprisonment in the Tower of London, in Newgate Prison and to other persecutions. He was aided, however, by his friendship with the Duke of York.
William Penn wrote numerous tracts and theological works, 'No Cross, no Crown' among others. He had already sent many emigrants to America, when in 1681 Charles II gave him an extensive grant. He sailed to his new possession in 1683, laid out the city of Philadelphia and negotiated the famous treaty with the Indians under the elm tree. He returned to England in 1684, and had considerable influence at court after his friend came to the throne as James II.
He was deprived of his government in 1693, but it was restored two years later. A visit to his colony in 1699 resulted in improving the condition of affairs. The new commonwealth had from the first a more tolerant basis than its neighbors. William Penn returned to England after a few years. In the latter part of his life he became involved in difficulties and passed some time in the Fleet Prison. Research William Penn
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