Person    | Male  Born 14/10/1644  Died 30/7/1718

William Penn

Categories: Benefactor, Philosophy, Religion

Countries: Ireland, USA

Quaker leader and founder of Pennsylvania. Born in the Liberty of the Tower. After studying law, he spent several years in Ireland managing his father's estates. During this time he converted to Quakerism. In 1681 he obtained a grant of territory in North America and in 1682 sailed to establish the colony that was to become Pennsylvania. Returning from a period back in England, he found that his constitution had proved to be unworkable and needed to be much altered. Died at Ruscombe, Berkshire.

It was Charles II that named the land in North America 'Pennsylvania', in honour of Penn's father, Admiral Sir William Penn (1621-70).  Penn Jnr., a modest Quaker, was uncomfortable, fearing that people would think it was named for him, as indeed people generally do.

Credit for this entry to: Alan Patient of www.plaquesoflondon.co.uk

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
William Penn

Commemorated ati

Pepys - Stew Lane

This page of Pepys' Diary is given at The Diary of Samuel Pepys with lots of ...

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Tower Liberty

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William Penn

William Penn, quaker, born on Tower Hill, baptised in + All Hallows Church, 2...

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William Penn - Rickmansworth

Here William Penn (1644 - 1718) Quaker statesman and man of vision, founder o...

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This section lists the memorials created by the subject on this page:
William Penn

Creations i

Stoke Newington - civilian war memorial

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Mrs Galpin

Mrs Galpin

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Edward Harvist Trust

Edward Harvist Trust

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A. Yeatman & Sons

A. Yeatman & Sons

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1 memorial