William Penn

Statue of William Penn atop City Hall. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

William Penn was the founder of Pennsylvania. He was seeking religious freedom for himself and his fellow Quakers (Society of Friends). The king granted him the land where he started the colony.

Penn pursued peaceful relations with the local Lenape Indians and founded Philadelphia where the Schuylkill River meets the Delaware River. The English took control of the area and assimilated the previous Dutch and Swedish settlers. Penn's colony developed a tolerant society which allowed many denominations of Protestants as well as Catholics and Jews to settle. Pennsylvania also abolished slavery.

A statue of William Penn stands atop City Hall in Philadelphia.