Cecil Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore

Early Life

Cecil Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore, was born on August 8, 1605, in Kiplin, a small hamlet in North Yorkshire, England. He was the first child of George Calvert, and his wife, Anne Mynne. His father, a former Secretary of State to King James I, was granted the title of Baron Baltimore in 1625 by King Charles I, thus making Cecil the heir apparent to the title.

Education

Cecil Calvert received his early education at Trinity College at the University of Oxford. He was admitted on February 22, 1621, at the age of 15. He did not complete his degree but left the university in 1622 to travel abroad. His travels took him to various parts of Europe, including France and Italy, where he gained exposure to different cultures and political systems.

Inheritance of the Maryland Colony

Upon the death of his father in 1632, Cecil Calvert inherited the title of Baron Baltimore and the charter for the Maryland Colony. His father had been granted the charter by King Charles I, but had died before the colony could be established. Cecil, as the new Baron Baltimore, took up the task of establishing the colony in the New World.

Establishment of the Maryland Colony

Cecil Calvert's vision for the Maryland Colony was to create a haven for English Catholics who were facing persecution in England. He sent his younger brother, Leonard, to lead the first expedition to Maryland. The expedition, consisting of two ships, the Ark and the Dove, set sail from England in November 1633 and arrived in Maryland in March 1634. Leonard Calvert, acting as his brother's deputy, established the first settlement in Maryland, named St. Mary's.

Governance of the Maryland Colony

As proprietor of the Maryland Colony, Cecil Calvert had the authority to govern the colony. He established a feudal manorial system, under which land was granted to individuals who agreed to bring settlers to the colony. He also established a legislative assembly, the General Assembly, which was composed of freemen and was responsible for making laws for the colony.

Later Life and Death

Cecil Calvert spent the majority of his life in England, managing the affairs of the Maryland Colony from afar. He never visited the colony himself. He died on November 30, 1675, in London, England. His title and the proprietorship of the Maryland Colony passed to his eldest son, Charles Calvert.

Legacy

Cecil Calvert's legacy is most evident in the U.S. state of Maryland. The state's history and culture are deeply influenced by Calvert's vision of religious tolerance and political freedom. The Calvert family's coat of arms is incorporated into the Maryland state flag, one of the few U.S. state flags to use a coat of arms from a noble family.