William Penn: Founder of Democracy (Colonial Leaders)

Rating:
Summary: An introduction to Penn, the Quakers and Pennsylvania
Review: William Penn turned his back on his rich family and became a Quaker at a time when the Society of Friends was being persecuted, if not prosecuted, by the Anglican Church. In this juvenile biography of Penn for the Colonial Leaders series Norma Jean Lutz focuses on Penn's role as a "Founder of Democracy" based upon the "Charter of Privileges" he created for the colony of Pennsylvania (named for his father, whose was owed a debt by the king of England which translated into the land grant). In fact, Lutz points out that for the 50th anniversary of Penn's Charter a bell was hung in the State House at Philadelphia which we now know as the Liberty Bell. Lutz spends as much time in this book covering the religious differences that led Penn to become involved in the Society of Friends as it does to the founding of the colony of Pennsylvania. This book is illustrated with historic paintings and engravings of Penn and the Quakers, as well as contemporary photographs of some of the places and sites important in his life. Other books in this series look at Lord Baltimore (who had a disputed land claim against Penn), Benjamin Franklin, Cotton Mather, and John Smith. These books provide nice introductions to the colonists and early politicians who help defined American life.

Rating:
Summary: An introduction to Penn, the Quakers and Pennsylvania
Review: William Penn turned his back on his rich family and became a Quaker at a time when the Society of Friends was being persecuted, if not prosecuted, by the Anglican Church. In this juvenile biography of Penn for the Colonial Leaders series Norma Jean Lutz focuses on Penn's role as a "Founder of Democracy" based upon the "Charter of Privileges" he created for the colony of Pennsylvania (named for his father, whose was owed a debt by the king of England which translated into the land grant). In fact, Lutz points out that for the 50th anniversary of Penn's Charter a bell was hung in the State House at Philadelphia which we now know as the Liberty Bell. Lutz spends as much time in this book covering the religious differences that led Penn to become involved in the Society of Friends as it does to the founding of the colony of Pennsylvania. This book is illustrated with historic paintings and engravings of Penn and the Quakers, as well as contemporary photographs of some of the places and sites important in his life. Other books in this series look at Lord Baltimore (who had a disputed land claim against Penn), Benjamin Franklin, Cotton Mather, and John Smith. These books provide nice introductions to the colonists and early politicians who help defined American life.