Why was william penn important?

William Penn believed in religious tolerance. As a Quaker, he wanted mostly quakers in his colony, but he didn't prohibit anyone so long as they didn't force their religion on others. However, it was New York colony that first forbade prejudice based on religion. They did this to protect the number of Jews who had settled there. read more

William Penn (October 14, 1644–July 30, 1718) founded the Province of Pennsylvania, the British North American colony that became the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The democratic principles that he set forth served as an inspiration for the United States Constitution. read more