Resources about Roger Williams

1. Roger Williams Family Association “Roger Williams…A Brief Biography”. Virtualology. 2000. “Roger Williams”. A Virtual Education Project. http://www.famousamericans.net/rogerwilliams/
The main purpose of this website is to provide information us with American biographies, such as that of Roger Williams. It is important to read about Roger Williams because he was a controversial figure because of his ideas on freedom and worship. Williams believed. He left England and came to America in 1630. Since he was “always at odds with the structured Puritans”, he was summoned to answer to charges of heresy. Due to his eccentric view in civic and religious liberty, he refused to obey the charges. For this, he was facing deportation back to England, but instead he went into seclusion among the Indians. Roger Williams is known as the founder of Rhode Island. His book “Key into the Language of American” was “a work of great value on the speech of the New England Indians”. This resource was good information about the life of Roger Williams, his part in the rights of religious freedom. The websites is credible because the texts on the historical facts are edited on a continual basis.

2. Dolle, Raymond F. “Roger Williams (1603?”-1683)”. http://www9.georgetown.edu/faculty/bassr/heath/syllabuild/iguide/williamr.html1
This website gives an imminent overview of Roger Williams. According to Dolle, it is important to inform students about the early American ideals. This helps the students in building a reputation for studying a particular historian. Dolle identifies with respect how the history of Roger Williams’ rebellion against authority and individual liberty [religion], will help stimulate students discussion of the nature of religion. In his work in “A Key Into the Language of America”, Williams studies the language of the Narragansetts Indians. In an excerpt of the poem, he quotes “I speak to them to their understandings especially because of the change of their dialect or manner of speech” (Smithsonian). Diversity and imagery definitely shows in his interest of the Indians. His image among the image probable help build some relationships with the white settlers. This resource is helpful in reading because it gives an outline on the major themes, historical perspectives and personal issues. Although critic of his time labeled him as a heretical person, Roger Williams maintained his status in believing religious toleration, equal rights and individual freedom. His banishment was due in part to his opposition of Puritans authoritative influences. He contends that “Civil magistrates should have no jurisdiction over religious matters”. This is a credible website designed for students to learn about the literary concepts of Williams’s statement and position in the Puritan era.