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William Penn
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Engraved portrait of William Penn wearing a dark coat, white cravat, and wide-brimmed hat, with shoulder-length curly hair. Land granted to William Penn and his daughter Jean Leon Gerome Ferris: The Landing of William Penn Painting by Benjamin West depicting William Penn standing and shaking hands with a group of Native Americans as settlers and Indigenous people gather around during Penn's treaty in Pennsylvania.
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William Penn

Written by
Frederick B. Tolles
Howard M. Jenkins Professor of Quaker History and Research, 1954–70; Director, Friends Historical Library, Swarthmore College, Pennsylvania, 1941–70. Author of The Witness of William Penn and others.
Frederick B. Tolles
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Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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Penn had meanwhile become involved in American colonization as a trustee for Edward Byllynge, one of the two Quaker proprietors of West New Jersey. In 1681 Penn and 11 other Quakers bought the proprietary rights to East New Jersey from the widow of Sir John Carteret. In that same year, discouraged by the turn of political events in England, where Charles II was ruling without Parliament and prospects for religious freedom seemed dark, Penn sought...

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