Roger Williams (theologian)

Roger Williams (c. 1603 – March 1683) was an English-born New England minister, theologian, author, and founder of the Providence Plantations, which became the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations and later the State of Rhode Island. He was a staunch advocate for religious liberty, separation of church and state, and fair dealings with the Native Americans.

The Reverend Roger Williams
File:Roger Williams statue by Franklin Simmons.jpg Roger Williams (1872)
9th President of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations
In office 1654–1657
Preceded by	Nicholas Easton
Succeeded by	Benedict Arnold
Chief Officer of Providence and Warwick
In office 1644–1647
Preceded by	Himself (as Governor)
Succeeded by	John Coggeshall (as President)
Governor of Providence Plantations
In office 1636–1644
Preceded by	position established
Succeeded by	Himself (as Chief Officer)
Personal details
Born	c. 1603 London, England
Died	between 21 January and 15 March 1683 (aged 79) Providence Plantations
Spouse(s)	Mary Bernard
Children	6
Education	Pembroke College, Cambridge
Occupation	minister, statesman, author
Signature	Roger Williams (theologian)'s signature

For other people named Roger Williams, see Roger Williams (disambiguation).

Famous descendants

These are some famous descendants of Roger Williams:

• Nelson Rockefeller
• Gail Borden
• Charles Eugene Tefft
• Michelle Phillips
• Julia Ward Howe
• Sarah Palin
• Bill Gore

Roger Williams (theologian) Media

• Graduation Day, Pembroke College, Cambridge.jpg

  Williams attended Pembroke College, Cambridge

• Witch House, Salem.jpg

  The Jonathan Corwin House was long purported to be Williams's residence in Salem

• The Banishment of Roger Williams.jpg

  The Banishment of Roger Williams (c. 1850) by Peter F. Rothermel

• Alonzo Chappel - The Landing of Roger Williams in 1636 - 43.003 - Rhode Island School of Design Museum.jpg

  The Landing of Roger Williams in 1636 (1857) by Alonzo Chappel depicts Williams crossing the Seekonk River

• Rhode Island statehood Tercentenary, 3c, 1936 issue.jpg

  In 1936, on the 300th anniversary of the settlement of Rhode Island in 1636, the U.S. Post Office issued a commemorative stamp, depicting Roger Williams

• First Baptist Church in America from Angell St 3.jpg

  First Baptist Church in America which Williams co-founded in 1638

• Roger Williams and Narragansetts.jpg

  A mid-19th century depiction of Williams meeting with Narragansett leaders

• Return of Roger Williams.jpg

  Return of Roger Williams from England with the First Charter from Parliament for Providence Plantations in July 1644

• 

  In 1643, Williams published A Key into the Language of America, the first published study of a Native American language.

Further reading

• Brockunier, Samuel. The Irrepressible Democrat, Roger Williams, The Ronald Press Company, New York, 1940.
• Gaustad, Edwin, S., ed., Liberty of Conscience: Roger Williams in America. Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, 1991.
• Miller, Perry, Roger Williams, A Contribution to the American Tradition, The Bobbs-Merrill Company, Inc, Indianapolis and New York, 1953.
• Settle, Mary Lee, I, Roger Williams: A Novel, W. W. Norton & Company, Reprint edition (September 2002).
• Winslow, Ola Elizabeth, Master Roger Williams, A Biography. The Macmillan Company, New York, 1957.
• Peattie, Donald Culross, Roger Williams- First Modern American. The Reader's Digest. December 1946.