Cecil Calvert

Cecil Calvert, also known as Lord Baltimore, was a 17th-century English statesman and proprietor of the Maryland colony. He played a key role in establishing Maryland as a haven for Catholics facing religious persecution in England. Appointed as the colony’s leader, Calvert promoted religious freedom, towns, and economic development. His leadership helped shape Maryland into a unique colony with a degree of religious tolerance, laying early foundations for the principles of religious liberty in America.