Ri biography

Biography of Roger Williams, Founder of Rhode Island and Father of the Separation of Church and State

Roger Williams was a minister and politician who founded the settlement of Providence, which became the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations — or Rhode Island — one of the 13 Original Colonies.

He was born in London and, as a boy, he studied under Sir Edward Coke, attended Pembroke College in Cambridge, and received his degree in 1627. During his time at Cambridge, he joined the Puritan Movement.

Rhode Island - Wikipedia

Although he was aware the Puritan Leaders planned to emigrate to America, he did not follow them right away. He tried to remain in England, but eventually joined the Separatist Movement and sailed to Boston, Massachusetts, where he arrived on February 5, 1631. Williams was very outspoken in his opinions and was critical of the Puritan churches in Massachusetts, which he believed were too closely aligned with the Church of England.

He was also critical of the King for granting Rhode Island Genealogy CIR