John Winthrop is one of the most influential people during the colonial period of the United States. Despite describing himself as wild and dissolute as a youth, Winthrop later acquired and insatiable thirst for God. See John Winthrop, “Winthrop’s Journal, History of New England.” Winthrop’s religious beliefs affected his worldview and how he governed the Massachusetts’s Bay Colony. More importantly, Winthrop’s worldview helped shape the philosophical worldview of the future United Sates.

1. John Winthrop’s Life Before Massachusetts Bay Colony

John Winthrop was born in 1588. He was born into a wealthy family in Suffolk, England. Winthrop enrolled in Trinity College at age 14. He married his first wife (of four) at 16 years of age. Soon after, at the age of 18, Winthrop began practicing law. A few years later, he became involved in politics and the Massachusetts Bay Company.

During the 1620s, England suffered economic hardships and a variety of societal upheavals, including social and theological change. The changes at the social and cultural level concerned Winthrop. Winthrop was most disappointed with the theological changes in England.

In 1629, Winthrop was elected to the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He and others sailed for New England in 1630 aboard the Arbella.

I hope you enjoyed this post. Please let me know if you would like too discuss this more in-depth or discuss something else. See you tomorrow!

Ben Crittenden

Anchorage, Alaska