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Library of American Biography
William Penn And the Quaker Legacy
As the leader of one of the most progressive religious sects to emerge from England, William Penn envisioned Pennsylvania as an example of how a God-inspired society could succeed in the wilderness of North America. However, once in the New World, Quakers pursued both wealth and power, suggesting that even the most devout could not resist the temptations of the New World. Despite the moral struggle, Pennsylvania succeeded beyond anyone’s imagination. By Penn’s death in 1718, Pennsylvania was well on its way to becoming the most commercially successful colonial enterprise in English history. The titles in the Library of American Biography Series make ideal supplements for American History Survey courses or other courses in American history where figures in history are explored. Paperback, brief, and inexpensive, each interpretative biography in this series focuses on a figure whose actions and ideas significantly influenced the course of American history and national life. At the same time, each biography relates the life of its subject to the broader themes and developments of the times.
268 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 2006
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 16, 2015
In John A. Moretta’s book William Penn and the Quaker Legacy, he sets out to accomplish the task of humanizing William Penn. Throughout this book, Moretta not only explains Penn’s life and history, but he also gives a look into the rise of Quakerism, important characters in the Friends’ movement, and Penn’s vantage point of both England and the New World during the late 1600s. Moretta also describes in detail the transformation of Penn from the son of an admiral in the King’s navy to a rebellious teen who finds solace in a religion that emphasizes the common humanity in all people rather than titles and bloodlines.
The author of the book, John Moretta, has a vast background in United States history. He serves as a professor at Central College of the Houston Community College System and also at the University of Houston, Main Campus. Moretta received his doctorate degree from Rice University in Houston, Texas. Throughout his educational and professorial paths, he has written a total of ten books on various aspects of United States history.
In the introduction of William Penn and the Quaker Legacy, Moretta explains that in all of his history courses where William Penn is discussed, he asks his students what they know about Penn. He states that a vast majority of students refer to Penn as just “the Quaker Oats guy.” Moretta goes on to explain that the purpose of this book is to inform his audience of the life and legacy of William Penn. With this in mind, it seems that Moretta’s intended audience is mostly college students who are concentrating in history. While the information presented can be interpreted and understood by people without such background, there are parts of the book that can be blurry or potentially confusing. For example, throughout the book Moretta discusses England’s Conventicle Act, however he never truly defines what it is. Of course, one can understand the basis of the Act by taking into consideration the material surrounding it, such as Penn’s numerous arrests under the Conventicle Act for his Quaker beliefs.
The book has no clear, precise organization to it, just that it is written in chronological order from the time of Penn’s birth to his death. The first major part of the book is regarding Penn’s youth. During this section, Moretta explains that Penn, being the son of an admiral, did not get to spend much time with his father when he was younger due to England’s wars; it was during this time that Penn began to stick to his mother. Moretta explains that Penn viewed his father as an “intruder” during the time he was home. Penn’s father was then sent to Ireland to keep order in certain regions. During this time, Penn first discovered a glimpse of Quakerism. Moretta states that Penn was immediately intrigued and wanted to know more. From here, Penn began to act out rebelliously. Penn’s father attempted to set his son straight by ordering young William to tour Europe and become more “gentlemanly,” but this only worsened Penn’s behavior. During this time, Penn met many outspoken religious men, and he also visited Amsterdam, which was the heart of religious tolerance at the time. It was here where he met Quakers who kept him interested in the faith.
The second important portion of the book covers Penn’s conversion and early years as a Quaker. At this time, Moretta explains, Penn was still learning the Quaker way. For example, after English guardsmen stormed a Quaker meetinghouse, Penn picked one soldier up and threw him out the door. After this, his fellow Quakers explained that was not the way Friends behave. After fully understanding what Quakerism was about, Penn began his mission of showing the rest of England the “inner light.” From here, Penn set out to debate many different scholars and religious figures, which led to Penn’s numerous arrests and, even further, to the writing of some of his most famous works regarding Quakerism.
The final major portion of Moretta’s book discusses Penn’s commitment to his “Holy Experiment.” Due to his father’s high ranking and noble service, the Penn family had close ties with the Stuarts in London. Despite William Penn’s numerous arrests and “heresy” against the Anglican Church, he still managed to keep close both King Charles II and his brother James; it was these two who helped Penn many times. King Charles II would grant Penn proprietorship over a new colony in the New World between Maryland and New York. Moretta states that Penn wanted to simply name the colony “Sylvania,” but the King demanded that Penn name it after his father, and so it was branded “Pennsylvania.” From here, Penn set out to accomplish something never before done. He was determined to establish a land based on peace, tolerance, and mutual respect for one another. Despite some minor border disputes between Pennsylvania and its neighboring colonies, Penn’s mission was a success. Pennsylvania soon became the fastest growing colony in all of America.
John Moretta’s book William Penn and the Quaker Legacy is an excellent read for anyone interested in not only William Penn, but also the United States and pre-Glorious Revolution England. Moretta not only brought Penn to life, but he also laid out the groundwork of what Quakerism is about. He does an excellent job of explaining what Quakers believe and also what attracted so many, including an elite like Penn, to seek the “inner light.” Moretta connects Quakerism and Pennsylvania to the Founding Fathers by arguing that in many ways the United States was based on Quaker beliefs such as religious freedom, meritocracy, and amendable constitutions among many other ideals. In a sense, Moretta puts forth, Penn founded the United States before the United States even existed.
The author of the book, John Moretta, has a vast background in United States history. He serves as a professor at Central College of the Houston Community College System and also at the University of Houston, Main Campus. Moretta received his doctorate degree from Rice University in Houston, Texas. Throughout his educational and professorial paths, he has written a total of ten books on various aspects of United States history.
In the introduction of William Penn and the Quaker Legacy, Moretta explains that in all of his history courses where William Penn is discussed, he asks his students what they know about Penn. He states that a vast majority of students refer to Penn as just “the Quaker Oats guy.” Moretta goes on to explain that the purpose of this book is to inform his audience of the life and legacy of William Penn. With this in mind, it seems that Moretta’s intended audience is mostly college students who are concentrating in history. While the information presented can be interpreted and understood by people without such background, there are parts of the book that can be blurry or potentially confusing. For example, throughout the book Moretta discusses England’s Conventicle Act, however he never truly defines what it is. Of course, one can understand the basis of the Act by taking into consideration the material surrounding it, such as Penn’s numerous arrests under the Conventicle Act for his Quaker beliefs.
The book has no clear, precise organization to it, just that it is written in chronological order from the time of Penn’s birth to his death. The first major part of the book is regarding Penn’s youth. During this section, Moretta explains that Penn, being the son of an admiral, did not get to spend much time with his father when he was younger due to England’s wars; it was during this time that Penn began to stick to his mother. Moretta explains that Penn viewed his father as an “intruder” during the time he was home. Penn’s father was then sent to Ireland to keep order in certain regions. During this time, Penn first discovered a glimpse of Quakerism. Moretta states that Penn was immediately intrigued and wanted to know more. From here, Penn began to act out rebelliously. Penn’s father attempted to set his son straight by ordering young William to tour Europe and become more “gentlemanly,” but this only worsened Penn’s behavior. During this time, Penn met many outspoken religious men, and he also visited Amsterdam, which was the heart of religious tolerance at the time. It was here where he met Quakers who kept him interested in the faith.
The second important portion of the book covers Penn’s conversion and early years as a Quaker. At this time, Moretta explains, Penn was still learning the Quaker way. For example, after English guardsmen stormed a Quaker meetinghouse, Penn picked one soldier up and threw him out the door. After this, his fellow Quakers explained that was not the way Friends behave. After fully understanding what Quakerism was about, Penn began his mission of showing the rest of England the “inner light.” From here, Penn set out to debate many different scholars and religious figures, which led to Penn’s numerous arrests and, even further, to the writing of some of his most famous works regarding Quakerism.
The final major portion of Moretta’s book discusses Penn’s commitment to his “Holy Experiment.” Due to his father’s high ranking and noble service, the Penn family had close ties with the Stuarts in London. Despite William Penn’s numerous arrests and “heresy” against the Anglican Church, he still managed to keep close both King Charles II and his brother James; it was these two who helped Penn many times. King Charles II would grant Penn proprietorship over a new colony in the New World between Maryland and New York. Moretta states that Penn wanted to simply name the colony “Sylvania,” but the King demanded that Penn name it after his father, and so it was branded “Pennsylvania.” From here, Penn set out to accomplish something never before done. He was determined to establish a land based on peace, tolerance, and mutual respect for one another. Despite some minor border disputes between Pennsylvania and its neighboring colonies, Penn’s mission was a success. Pennsylvania soon became the fastest growing colony in all of America.
John Moretta’s book William Penn and the Quaker Legacy is an excellent read for anyone interested in not only William Penn, but also the United States and pre-Glorious Revolution England. Moretta not only brought Penn to life, but he also laid out the groundwork of what Quakerism is about. He does an excellent job of explaining what Quakers believe and also what attracted so many, including an elite like Penn, to seek the “inner light.” Moretta connects Quakerism and Pennsylvania to the Founding Fathers by arguing that in many ways the United States was based on Quaker beliefs such as religious freedom, meritocracy, and amendable constitutions among many other ideals. In a sense, Moretta puts forth, Penn founded the United States before the United States even existed.
February 1, 2026
Good biography, but takes place mostly in England against the background of the restoration. Penn was a courtier, good friends with James II, and went in and out of favor. You get the idea of the beginnings of the Quakers and Pennsylvania, but Penn himself is a bit off-putting. Interesting, worth reading.
August 8, 2010
If anything, Moretta's account of William Penn's life brings the subject's status as a Quaker into question, and perhaps more significantly, demonstrates how little influence Penn actually had on both Pennsylvania, North America, and England. In order to support his conclusions, the author gives Penn entirely too much credit for passage of various Acts that affected Englishmen both in the Old and New Worlds.
Moretta provides general "what-ifs" and numerous vague statements without ever following up on his arguments or providing any real evidence to support his thesis on the importance of William Penn in the role of championing liberty of conscience without ever delving into why the English Kings or Parliament may have decided to pass various pieces of legislation.
This biography contains numerous holes, and while the reader is left with a better understanding of William Penn than just as the "man on the Quaker Oatmeal box", one is left with an opinion of Penn that the author obviously did not intend.
Moretta provides general "what-ifs" and numerous vague statements without ever following up on his arguments or providing any real evidence to support his thesis on the importance of William Penn in the role of championing liberty of conscience without ever delving into why the English Kings or Parliament may have decided to pass various pieces of legislation.
This biography contains numerous holes, and while the reader is left with a better understanding of William Penn than just as the "man on the Quaker Oatmeal box", one is left with an opinion of Penn that the author obviously did not intend.
May 26, 2016
A little dry - but an amazing history of the U. S. founder that is often neglected by U. S. history classes. The Quaker, Penn, went from a prisoner in the Tower of London to a landowner whose territory was larger than England itself. A century before the other U. S. founders, Penn established a colony whose ideals included the equality of all people, racial and ethnic pluralism, liberty of conscience, and a society without war.
December 14, 2009
Didn't finish the whole thing. Interesting life, but as soon as he starts the adventure of creating a prosperous land in the New World our writer seems to run out of things to say, however he goes on for another 100 pages.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews