Roger Williams

Also known as Rev. Roger Williams, Founder of Rhode Island, Rodzher Uilʹi︠a︡ms, Rogerius Williams

English Baptist theologian and author (1603–1683)

Person · Open Library

Born: 1603
Died: 1683
Works: 52

Top works

"Christenings make not Christians," 1645. A long-lost tract recovered and exactly reprinted
The Metamorphosis of Prime Intellect
The bloudy tenent of persecution for cause of conscience discussed
Qveries Of Highest Consideration, Proposed to {Mr. Tho. Goodwin Mr. Phillip Nye Mr. Wil. Bridges {Mr. Jer. Burroughs Mr. Sidr. Simpson. And To the Commissioners from the Generall Assembly (so called) of the Church Of Scotland; Vpon occasion of their late Printed Apologies for themselves and their Churches. In all Humble Reverence presented to the view of the Right Honourable the Houses of the High Court of Parlament. (ornaments)
The Blovdy Tenent of Persecution, for cause of Conscience, discussed, in A Conference betweene Trvth and Peace. Who, In all tender Affection, present to the High Court of Parliament, (as the Result of their Discourse these, (amongst other Passages) of highest consideration. (ornament)

via Open Library + Wikidata

Music · MusicBrainz

Type: Person
Country: US
Active from: 1932-02-08

via MusicBrainz · CC0

Listeners · Last.fm

Listeners: 68,618
Total plays: 484,311

Recent publications · Crossref

5 total works indexed

The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews
· 2021 · cited 76,882x
Comparison of simple potential functions for simulating liquid water
· 1983 · cited 38,975x
The PHQ-9
· 2001 · cited 38,286x
An Integrative Model of Organizational Trust
· 1995 · cited 27,880x
A Brief Measure for Assessing Generalized Anxiety Disorder
· 2006 · cited 27,822x

via Crossref · CC0

Quotes

“Enforced uniformity confounds civil and religious liberty and denies the principles of Christianity and civility. No man shall be required to worship or maintain a worship against his will.”
“I present you with a Key : I have not heard of the like yet framed, since it pleased God to bring that mighty continent of America to light. Others of my countrymen have often, and excellently, and lately, written of the country, and none that I know beyond the goodness and worth of it. This Key respects the native language of it, and happily may unlock some rarities concerning the natives themselves, not yet discovered.”
“The natives are very exact and punctual in the bounds of their lands, belonging to this or that prince or people, even to a river, brook, &c. And I have known them make bargain and sale amongst themselves for a small piece or quantity of ground ; notwithstanding a sinful opinion amongst many, that christians have right to heathen's land.”
“Men's consciences ought in no sort to be violated, urged, or constrained. And whenever men have attempted any thing by this violent course, whether openly or by secret means, the issue has been pernicious, and the cause of great and wonderful innovations in the principallest and mightiest kingdoms and countries...”
“All civil states with their officers of justice in their respective constitutions and administrations are proved essentially civil, and therefore not judges, governors, or defenders of the spiritual or Christian state and worship.”
“God requireth not a uniformity of religion to be enacted and enforced in any civil state; which enforced uniformity (sooner or later) is the greatest occasion of civil war, ravishing of conscience, persecution of Christ Jesus in his servants, and of the hypocrisy and destruction of millions of souls.”

via Wikiquote · CC BY-SA

Key facts

Preceded by: Nicholas Easton
Succeeded by: Benedict Arnold
Born: c. 1603 , London , England
Died: between 21 January and 15 March 1683 (aged 79), Providence Plantations
Spouse: Mary Bernard
Education: Pembroke College, Cambridge
Occupation: minister, statesman, author

via Wikipedia infobox

Wikidata facts

Image: Religious denominations of the world - comprising a general view of the origin, history, and condition of the various sects of Christians, the Jews, and Mahometans, as well as the pagan forms of (14598189978).jpg

Show 5 more facts

Commons category: Roger Williams
date of death: 1683-00-00
date of birth: 1599-00-00
P12749: Ernst Baier
name in native language: Roger Williams

Sources (10)

via Wikidata · CC0

~35 min read

Article

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.

Initially a Puritan minister, his beliefs evolved and he questioned the authority of the Puritan church in enforcing religious conformity. He was expelled by the Puritan leaders from the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and he established Providence Plantations in 1636 as a refuge offering what he termed "liberty of conscience" making Rhode Island the first government in the Western world to guarantee religious freedom in its founding charter. His ideas on religious tolerance and civil government directly influenced the principles later enshrined in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. He briefly became a Baptist, and in 1638 he founded the First Baptist Church in America in Providence. He then moved beyond organized religion, becoming a "seeker" who did not identify with any specific church. Williams studied the language of the New England Native Americans and published the first book-length study of it in English.