Voting Station

Edward Winslow

Please vote to return to collections.

Adventurer

The Resume

    (1595-1655)
    Born in Droitwich Spa, United Kingdom
    Colonial Diplomat, Separatist
    Mayflower passenger
    Chief Founder of Plymouth Colony, 1620
    Among the main architects and signers of the Mayflower Compact (1620)
    3rd, 6th, and 10th Governor of Plymouth Colony (1633-1644)
    Also served as Assistant Governor and as the Colony’s diplomatic liaison for London
    Co-wrote, with William Bradford, 'Mourt's Relation', which details the story of the First Thanksgiving
    Also wrote 'Good Newes from New England' (1624), 'Hypocrisie Unmasked; by a True Relation of the Governor' (1646), 'The Danger of Tolerating Levelers in a Civil State' (1649), and 'The Glorious Progress of the Gospel amongst the Indians in New England' (1649)
    Reportedly died of fever while on a British naval expedition in the Caribbean against the Spanish (1655)

Why he might be annoying:

    He worked for Oliver Cromwell, in his later years.
    He is often confused with Massachusetts Bay Colony founder, Puritan leader John Winthrop.
    He is even more easily overshadowed by more famous Mayflower passengers, usually Miles Standish and William Bradford (who barely mentions him in 'Pilgrim Plantation').
    His biographers strongly doubt the enduring claim that he 'discovered' the Connecticut River and tried to claim it over the Dutch.
    He got Plymouth colonists into the brutal conflict that was the Pequot War (even though most of the major battles had concluded by then).
    He was accused of persecuting against Anglicans and Presbyterians by denying baptism and suffrage to non-covenanted Englishmen.
    He was accused of using 'legalese' to cover for Massachusetts Bay Colony's oppressive policies, and his role in implementing them against social deviants (e.g. William Vassall, Samuel Gorton).
    He is indirectly responsible for the content of every bad school Thanksgiving pageant and all factually challenged artwork depicting Squanto and the Pilgrims (thanks largely in part to his 'Mourt's Relation').

Why he might not be annoying:

    He started out as a printer's assistant, distributing literature on Pilgrim theology.
    While details on his personal life are scarce, it is known that he lost at least three of his children in their infancy.
    He was one of the first to step ashore at Plymouth Colony.
    He was one of the key leaders whom Governor Bradford depended on after the death of John Carver.
    He was the first to bring cattle to the American colonies.
    He was a leader in the founding of Marshfield, in addition to scores of other prominent New England towns.
    He was a canny businessman who controlled the Colony's finances and prevented investors from taking advantage of their assets.
    He was responsible for securing charitable funds for educating and evangelizing Indian tribes.
    His detailed records describing the Native Americans, their culture, and political engagement was a main source for Plymouth Rock historians.
    He was one of the first writers to suggest that the New England colonies become legally independent of the British Parliament.
    He was imprisoned during a diplomatic mission to England in 1634, on orders of an Archbishop who took issue with Plymouth Colony's approving of civil marriages.
    He and William Bradford were responsible with negotiations with Massachusetts Bay Colony, to determine jurisdiction boundaries in 1640.
    He was arguably the first major American international 'diplomat,' acting as an emissary between Great Britain and the colonies.

Credit: BoyWiththeGreenHair


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 7 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 13 Votes: 76.92% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 20 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 14 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying