Sixth Grade
Worksheets
The Life of William Penn
William Penn
Reading Comprehension for October 14
When you think about Pennsylvania, it is quite natural to think of William Penn also. How much do you really know about this man? What influence did he have on the state at its beginning? Was he a native to the region?
William Penn was born in London on October 14, 1644. He was the son of Admiral Sir William Penn and Margaret Jasper Penn. He was part of a well-to-do Anglican family who were members of the Church of England. He was educated at the University of Oxford.
Despite his Anglican upbringing, it was at the University of Oxford that William grew interested in Quakerism. At the time the Quakers were severely persecuted, or treated harshly, for their beliefs. The Quakers believed in following their inner light and wouldn't bow to the king's authority. They wouldn't swear an oath. They believed in pacifism, or peace. Because they did not worship in more typical ways and they didn't believe in violence, they were considered radical.
In 1662, William rejected Anglicanism and was expelled from Oxford because of his religious beliefs. His father tried to get him to change, but he continued his leaning toward the Quaker faith.
