Roger Williams
Roger Williams Roger Williams statue by Franklin Simmons Chief Officer of Providence and Warwick In office 1644–1647 9th President of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations In office 1654–1657 Preceded by Nicholas Easton Succeeded by Benedict Arnold Personal details Born Around 1603 London, England Died January–March 1683 Providence, Rhode Island Spouse(s) Mary Barnard Children 6 Alma mater Pembroke College, Cambridge Occupation Minister, Statesman, Author, Preacher, Liberal Religion Puritan, Separatist, Reformed Baptist Signature Roger Williams (c. 1603 – between January and March 1683) was an English Protestant theologian who was an early proponent of religious freedom and the separation of church and state. In 1636, he began the colony of Providence Plantation, which provided a refuge for religious minorities. Williams started the first Baptist church in America, the First Baptist Church of Providence. He was a student of Native American languages and an advocate for fair dealings with Native Americans. Williams was arguably the first abolitionist in North America, having organized the first attempt to prohibit slavery in any of the original thirteen colonies.