Who founded Pennsylvania and was a proponent of religious freedom?

William Penn founded Pennsylvania and was a significant advocate for religious freedom. He established the colony in 1681 as a refuge for Quakers and other religious minorities facing persecution in England. Penn's vision for Pennsylvania included a government based on tolerance and equality, making it one of the first places in America where diverse religious practices could be openly followed without fear of oppression. His Frame of Government emphasized the protection of individual rights, including the freedom to practice one's religion.

In contrast, other figures listed had different focuses or were associated with different colonies. Lord Baltimore is known for founding Maryland, which also highlighted religious tolerance, but with a focus primarily on Catholics. Roger Williams founded Rhode Island, known for its principles of separation of church and state, but he was not the founder of Pennsylvania. James Oglethorpe founded Georgia, primarily as a debtors’ colony and a buffer against Spanish Florida, rather than a haven for religious freedom. Thus, Penn's commitment to establishing a colony grounded in the principle of religious liberty makes him the correct answer.