People

 

Painting of colonists around the fresh water spring

Roger Williams is the founder of Rhode Island and a champion of the ideal of religious freedom. Williams, banished from Massachusetts for his beliefs, founded Providence in 1636. This colony served as a “shelter for persons distressed of conscience.” Williams preached that religion must not be subject to regulation by the state but, instead, that it should be a matter of individual conscience.

Learn more about Roger Williams and the people who influenced and inspired him:

 

Roger Williams and Others

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  Roger Williams

  Roger Williams

  Learn about Roger Williams' Story

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  King James I

  Learn more about King James I

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  Sir Edward Coke

  Learn more about Sir Edward Coke

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  John Winthrop

  Learn more about John Winthrop

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  The Narragansett

  Learn more about the Narragansett

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  The Wampanoag

  Learn more about the Wampanoag

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  Anne Hutchinson

  Learn more about Anne Hutchinson

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  Dr. John Clarke

  Learn more about Dr. John Clarke

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  King Charles II

  Learn more about King Charles II

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  Isaac Hahn

  Namesake of the Hahn Memorial

  Learn about the first Jewish person elected to public office in Rhode Island

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  Judge Jerome Hahn

  A Generous Gift

  Judge Jerome Hahn gifted the historic spring to his fellow citizens.