Discover the roots of one of the most peace-driven, justice-minded faith movements in history—told by its most influential founder.
In A Brief Account of the Rise and Progress of the People Called Quakers, William Penn—visionary leader, philosopher, and founder of Pennsylvania—offers a concise yet powerful history of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). Writing as both a devout member and a respected public figure, Penn provides readers with a firsthand look at the early formation, beliefs, and bold spiritual convictions that defined this groundbreaking movement.
More than just a historical document, this short treatise defends the Quaker faith against common misconceptions, articulates their foundational principles of peace, inner light, and simplicity, and reveals the deep religious sincerity that drove their social reforms.
Penn’s voice is passionate yet measured, informative yet persuasive. As a man who risked persecution for his beliefs—and later built a thriving colony founded on religious tolerance—his words still resonate with readers interested in liberty of conscience, peaceful resistance, and spiritual authenticity.
Whether you're exploring early American history, Christian denominations, or social reform movements, this compelling little book offers both an introduction to Quakerism and a rare window into the soul of one of history’s great idealists.
"True godliness does not turn men out of the world but enables them to live better in it and excites their endeavors to mend it." – William Penn
William Penn (1644-1718) was an English real estate entrepreneur, philosopher, and founder of the Province of Pennsylvania, the English North American colony and the future Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was an early champion of democracy and religious freedom, notable for his good relations and successful treaties with the Lenape Indians. Under his direction, the city of Philadelphia was planned and developed. In 1681, King Charles II handed over a large piece of his American land holdings to William Penn to satisfy a debt the king owed to Penn's father. This land included present-day Pennsylvania and Delaware. Penn immediately sailed to America and his first step on American soil took place in New Castle in 1682. On this occasion, the colonists pledged allegiance to Penn as their new Proprietor, and the first general assembly was held in the colony. Afterwards, Penn journeyed up river and founded Philadelphia. However, Penn's Quaker government was not viewed favorably by the Dutch, Swedish, and English settlers in what is now Delaware. They had no "historical" allegiance to Pennsylvania, so they almost immediately began petitioning for their own Assembly. In 1704 they achieved their goal when the three southernmost counties of Pennsylvania were permitted to split off and become the new semi-autonomous colony of Lower Delaware. As the most prominent, prosperous and influential "city" in the new colony, New Castle became the capital. As one of the earlier supporters of colonial unification, Penn wrote and urged for a Union of all the English colonies in what was to become the United States of America. The democratic principles that he set forth in the Pennsylvania Frame of Government served as an inspiration for the United States Constitution. As a pacifist Quaker, Penn considered the problems of war and peace deeply, and included a plan for a United States of Europe ("European Dyet, Parliament or Estates") in his voluminous writings.
