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

Comments are provided by Facebook, please ensure you are signed in here to see them

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 ...

Read More

Tower Liberty

We normally rotate our memorial pictures as necessary to make sure the statue...

Read More

William Penn

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

Read More

William Penn - Rickmansworth

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

Read More

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

Creations i

Stoke Newington - civilian war memorial

The 113 names are grouped by the location/date of the bomb: 88 people ("also ...

Read More

Other Subjects

Thomas Bowman Stephenson

Thomas Bowman Stephenson

Wesleyan minister and benefactor. Born at Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He entered the Wesleyan ministry in 1860. In 1869 he founded the Children's Home (now known as the charity Action for Children) to pro...

Person, Benefactor, Children, Religion

1 memorial
Ward daughters

Ward daughters

Daughters of James & Mary Ann Ward.

Group, Benefactor

1 memorial
Silver Thimble Fund

Silver Thimble Fund

Miss {Elizabeth} H. E. Hope-Clarke of Wimbledon, inspired by her own damaged silver thimble, started collecting damaged or unwanted thimbles and other trinkets to contribute to the war effort.  She...

Group, Benefactor

2 memorials
Edward Charles Grenfell

Edward Charles Grenfell

1st Baron St Just. At Harrow, West Acre House, 1884-8. Banker and politician. Governor of Harrow School 1922-41. Director of the Bank of England 1905-40.

Person, Benefactor, Commerce, Politics & Administration

1 memorial
Reuben Foundation

Reuben Foundation

Their website: "Contributing to the Advancement of Healthcare & Education Around the World".

Group, Benefactor

1 memorial

Previously viewed

Henry Berry
War dead, WW1
1 memorial
Woolwich Market

Woolwich Market

Its first charter was granted to Sir William Barne, Lord Mayor of London and Hugh Lyddiard, Clerk of the Cheque at Woolwich dockyard. It has been in several locations in the area, and our picture s...

Place, Commerce

1 memorial
F. Woodley

F. Woodley

Name on one of the main panels of the East Ham WW1 memorial.

Person

War dead, WW1
1 memorial