William Penn: Liberty and Justice for All

Heroes of History #5

by Janet Benge, Geoff Benge

The Heroes of History series chronicles the true stories of fascinating men and women who changed the course of history.

In a world where freedoms were subject to the whims of rulers, William Penn worked passionately for religious tolerance. When this Quaker reformer secured a land grant in America, he laid for Pennsylvania a foundation of liberty, justice, fairness, and tolerance that would later guide the drafting of the Constitution of the United States.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, American History

192 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2001

About the author

Janet and Geoff Benge are a husband and wife writing team with twenty years of writing experience. They are best known for the books in the two series Christian Heroes: Then & Now series and Heroes of History. Janet is a former elementary school teacher. Geoff holds a degree in history. Together they have a passion to make history come alive for a new generation. Originally from New Zealand, the Benges make their home in the Orlando, Florida, area.

Reviews

[Daniel Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

William Penn was the eldest son of a nobleman, knight, and admiral of the British navy. And he was committed to be a Quaker, a big “are you nuts” no-no in 1670ish England. He was thrown in jail 3-4 times for his religious beliefs, but always found a way out. In 1681, he applied for a land grant from the King of England. For a reason never disclosed, the King immediately gave him what is now Pennsylvania. Penn pledged freedom, justice, fairness, and religious tolerance for all natives and European habitants. The documents Penn wrote to provide these freedoms were reviewed when the Founding Fathers wrote the Declaration of Independence. He built the city of Philadelphia and established a government. In the 1700s, England wanted to take Pennsylvania back. Penn suffered a stroke and died broke in England in 1718. England eventually got it back when they cancelled all grants before the Revolutionary War.

[Jesseca Wheaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

So loving these books as I read them to my younger siblings for history!

[V.P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent biography for upper elementary or middle grade students.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read aloud 2025.
I had no idea…..
Full of interesting information and trials!!

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had never heard William Penn's life story before. He had a hard life, but stood up for his beliefs no matter the cost. A great read.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good biography of a famous and important man. His life was filled with many intricacies of going here-and-there, plus being put in jail multiple times, often for similar reasons, and yet the book didn't drag or get overly complicated. A good read for children to understand an important historical figure. There was a lot of tragedy in his life, and it was dealt with in a way that expressed how sad it was without wallowing in it or becoming nightmare-fodder for the children listening to the story. This is a series worth investing in. Since reading this, "Quakers" have become a peg my children hang their knowledge on, since Quakers were a big part of the Underground Railway as well - they know what to expect of someone calling themselves that.

[Ruthe Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

William Penn was born into a wealthy family in Britain. Over time, he became deeply involved with the Quakers, much to his father's dismay. Because of his beliefs and practices, he spent time as a prisoner in the Tower of London. Eventually he came to America to help establish Religious Freedom. His life did not go as he intended, but his plans and his sacrifices are a part of our great American heritage. His story should be read by every American, and this audiobook makes that task a delightful experience for all ages.

[Abel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelente libro que nos ayuda a recordar el gran sacrificio de las personas que lucharon por la libertad de pensamiento y de ejercicio de fe que ahora tenemos.
También es interesante para comprender mejor la historia y origen de algunas ciudades importantes de Estados Unidos.
Lectura amena.
Muy recomendado

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a well-written, easy to read book that gives a good account of William Penn‘s life. To be honest, though, no one comes out of this book looking very good. Political groups, nobleman, religious groups, and individuals all made a ton of bad decisions that made life more difficult for themselves and others. That was hard to read. I guess it is an accurate portrait of life, though.

[Tricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the book we chose to take with us on vacation. As with all the books by the Benges’, the kids wanted me to keep reading every night! We finished this one in record time and are looking forward to our next read!

I also enjoyed learning things about William Penn that I didn’t know!

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I did not realize there was so much I did not know about William Penn.

My children also enjoyed reading and listening to the biography.

[Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was surprised how inspiring this book was and also how many traumatic things happened. One of our favorites so far.

[Mary Sasala · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good look at this time period but mainly of British politics.

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book. Learned a lot about religious persecution in the 1600s. Learned a lot of history.

[Nathalie Hott · Rating 3 out of 5]

estuvo bastante bueno, pero no lo ame

[Bud Russell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite good. As a Pennsylvania-born, I should have known his story long ago. Better late than never!

[Lindsey]

3.5* - A

I think I need a break from this series. The books are interesting, but sometimes read like a textbook.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing to exciting but does the job.

I wanted something to give me an overview of William Penn after seeing a movie about him. Think of Penn as the original Founding Father, a century before Jefferson inked the Declaration of independence. Penn formed the Charter of Privileges, which gave the citizens of the Colony of Pennsylvania freedom of Religion. Much more this was also a declaration of freedom of thought and expressed the belief that all men are created equal. Heretical thoughts at the time it placed him in the tower of London. The book is banal, but it's the best I could find. William Penn sought to see the goodness in every man's soul. Hope springs eternal from his Ghandi-esque approach to social change via Civil Disobedience.

[Isaiah the Ox · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is interesting and well written. It was a great biography and was hardly ever boring. Great for Pennsylvanians and others studying history.

[Joel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me agrado la iniciativa que tenía de la igualdad de todas las personas que lamentablemente no se aplicó después