George Calvert, Baron Baltimore Biography, Life, Interesting Facts

George Calvert was an English statesman and colonizer.

Early Life & Family

George Calvert was born around the year 1580 in Kipling, North Yorkshire, England. His father, Leonard Calvert, was a wealthy man. His mother, Alice Crosland, was a woman of noble origins. His family was Roman Catholic.

Education

Despite his Catholicism, Calvert was forced to study with a Protestant tutor. In 1593, he enrolled at Trinity College at Oxford University. There, he studied foreign languages and literature. He received his degree in 1597. The next year, he continued his studies in London. He spent three years studying law at The Honorable Society of Lincoln’s Inn.

Politics

Calvert began his political career as an aide to statesman Robert Cecil. In 1606, he became clerk of the Crown. A few years later, he became clerk of the Signet office and clerk of the Privy Council. He managed to become a trusted adviser to King James.  He made diplomatic visits to royal courts all over Europe. In 1619, he obtained the position of Secretary of State. He resigned from the position in 1625. He then continued his work on the Privy Council.office and clerk of the Privy Council. He became a trusted adviseeen children. y, Helen, and Francis.n'

Colonies

Calvert had a great interest in the exploration of the New World. He invested in the Virginia Company and in the East India Company. In 1620, he bought some land in Newfoundland. He named the area Avalon and tried to establish a colony there. He sent several groups of settlers there over the next few years. His plan ultimately failed, mostly because of the bad weather. In 1629, he went to Jamestown, Virginia. His goal was to establish the new colony of Maryland. He returned to London and started lobbying for the approval of his new charter.

Title

Calvert was knighted in 1617, receiving the title Sir. In 1625, he received the title Baron Baltimore. After his death, his eldest son became the 2nd Baron Baltimore.

Personal Life

In 1604, Calvert married a woman named Anne Mynne. She passed away in 1622. He later married a woman named Jane. He had a total of thirteen children. He had seven sons, named Cecil, Leonard, George, Henry, Philip, Francis, and John. He also had six daughters, named Anne, Dorothy, Grace, Elizabeth, Mary, and Helen.

Death

Baron Baltimore passed away on April 15, 1632, at Lincoln’s Inn Fields. His body was buried at the Saint Dunstan Churchyard in London. A few weeks after his death, the English Parliament accepted his charter for Maryland.