William Penn

A Radical, Conservative Quaker

J. William Frost

$264

Hardback

Not in-store but you can order this
How long will it take?

Availability Information

We source books from suppliers in Australia and overseas. For books we don't currently have in stock, the time it takes to get them from our suppliers can vary widely - from a few days to a few months - so we check each book with each supplier to determine the expected time it will take to be supplied to us.

We then advise you accordingly. If the time taken to get any book is too long for you, you can let us know and we will cancel or adjust your order, and refund as required.

To find out the anticipated arrival time for specific items prior to ordering, please contact us by phone or email:

Phone +61 2 9264 3111, or 1800 4 BOOKS (1800 4 26657) if outside Sydney:
option 1 Abbey's Bookshop (Crime, History, Science, Kids & more) • info@abbeys.com.au
option 2 Language Book Centre (ESL & Foreign Languages) • language@abbeys.com.au
option 3 Galaxy Bookshop (Sci-fi, Fantasy, Romance, Graphic Novels) • sf@galaxybooks.com.au

QTY:

English

Pennsylvania State University Press
03 September 2024

Biography: religious & spiritual; History of the Americas; Social & cultural history; Quakers (Religious Society of Friends)

While many recognize William Penn as the founder of Pennsylvania and a defender of religious liberty, much less is known about Penn as a man of faith. This wide-ranging history examines Penn as a deeply religious man who experienced personal triumph and success as well as tragedy and failure.

After an introduction to Penn and his times, J. William Frost explores various aspects of Penn’s faith, including his conversion, service within the Society of Friends, moral teachings, and advocacy for toleration in England and religious freedom in Pennsylvania. He examines Penn as a figure whose contradictions reflect, at least in part, his turbulent times. Penn was a radical who converted to an outlawed religion and sought to transform English society, but he was also a conservative who supported monarchical authority in England and demanded deference in Pennsylvania. Penn was born under Puritanism and lived through three revolutions, five wars, and decades of religious turmoil. He died in the Age of Enlightenment, having gone from leader and shaper of the Society of Friends to king’s courtier to a prisoner accused of treason (though he was eventually exonerated).

This intriguing history fills significant gaps in writings about Penn—particularly concerning Penn’s faith and its intersection with his work as a statesman and politician. It will be of interest to those interested in William Penn, the history of Quakerism, and the history of religion in America.

By: J. William Frost
Imprint: Pennsylvania State University Press
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm, Spine: 24mm
Weight: 481g
ISBN: 9780271097770
ISBN 10: 0271097779
Pages: 258
Publication Date: 03 September 2024
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

J. William Frost is Howard M. and Charles F. Jenkins Professor Emeritus of Quaker History and Research and Director Emeritus of the Friends Historical Library at Swarthmore College. Among his many publications, he is the author of The Quaker Family in Colonial America: A Portrait of the Society of Friends and A Perfect Freedom: Religious Liberty in Pennsylvania, the latter also published by Penn State University Press. He has edited books on George Fox, antislavery, and George Keith and served as editor of the Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography.

Reviews for William Penn: A Radical, Conservative Quaker

“A valuable reference for those who want to better understand one of our most significant spiritual ancestors.” —Paul Buckley Friends Journal “It is doubtful that there is anyone as knowledgeable about William Penn, the Quaker, as Frost is.” —Robynne Rogers Healey, coeditor of Quaker Women, 1800–1920: Studies of a Changing Landscape “A stunning assortment of masterful essays. Frost appreciatively and critically examines significant little-known historical details of Penn’s life and the numerous myths that have grown up around him. Penn’s Quaker ministry and preaching are treated in more detail here than in other biographies. Highly recommended for those reading about Penn for the first time as well as for scholars of history and theology.” —Stephen W. Angell, coeditor of The Creation of Modern Quaker Diversity, 1830–1937