William Penn

William Penn (1644–1718) was an English nobleman and religious thinker who founded Pennsylvania in 1681 as a haven for religious freedom and tolerant governance. A Quaker, he sought to create a colony based on principles of democracy, fair treatment, and peaceful coexistence. His leadership established Pennsylvania as a place where different faiths and cultures could flourish, influencing the development of American liberty and democratic ideas. Penn's vision combined religious conviction with progressive policies, making Pennsylvania one of the earliest examples of a colony built on principles of equality and religious tolerance.