The New Student's Reference Work/Fox, George

Fox, George, was the founder, of the Society of Friends, commonly called Quakers, and was born at Dray ton, in Leicestershire, England, in July, 1624. At nineteen his religious convictions forced him into the belief that he was the subject of a special divine call, and, leaving home, Bible in hand, he wandered over the country, holding meetings. He not only was a great religious, but a great social, reformer. His dress, mode of speech and manners were different from others. He took off his hat to no one; addressed men and women as thee and thou; and opposed all unnecessary form in religious observance. He was persecuted and arrested, but the sincerity of his views was admitted. He visited America with Penn, Barclay and Keith. Fox died on Nov. 13, 1690. He was known as a lovable and Christlike man, with a heart full of love for his fellow-beings. See George Fox and the Early Quakers by A. C. Bickley.