Thomas Hooker
English religious and colonial leader (1586–1647) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Thomas Hooker (July 5, 1586 – July 7, 1647) was a prominent English colonial leader and Congregational minister, who founded the Connecticut Colony after dissenting with Puritan leaders in Massachusetts. He was known as an outstanding speaker and an advocate of universal Christian suffrage.
Thomas Hooker | |
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Born | (1586-07-05)July 5, 1586 |
Died | July 7, 1647(1647-07-07) (aged 61) |
Nationality | English |
Occupation | Congregational minister |
Known for | Helped found the Connecticut Colony and write one of the first written constitutions along with a bill of rights. |
Spouse | Susanna (possibly née Garbrand) Hooker (2nd wife)The name of his first wife is not known[1] |
Children | 6[1] |
Signature | |
Called today "the Father of Connecticut", Thomas Hooker was a towering figure in the early development of colonial New England. He was one of the great preachers of his time, an erudite writer on Christian subjects, the first minister of Cambridge, Massachusetts, and one of the first settlers and founders of both the city of Hartford and the state of Connecticut. He has been cited by many as the inspiration for the "Fundamental Orders of Connecticut", which some have described as the world's first written democratic constitution establishing a representative government.[2]