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James Oglethorpe

Definition

James Oglethorpe was a British soldier, philanthropist, and the founder of the colony of Georgia in America. He aimed to use the new colony as a place for debtors and poor people from England to start anew.

Analogy

Think of James Oglethorpe as a sort of "life coach" for those who were down on their luck in 18th century England. Just like how a life coach today might help someone get back on their feet after losing their job or going through a tough time, Oglethorpe wanted to give people who were struggling (like debtors) an opportunity to start fresh and build better lives for themselves in Georgia.

Related terms

Debtors' prison: These were prisons where those unable to pay a debt were confined until they worked off their debts. The idea behind founding Georgia was partly to provide an alternative for those languishing in such prisons.

Trusteeship: This is when control over property or assets is given to one party (trustee) by another (beneficiary). In this case, King George II granted Oglethorpe and his associates trusteeship over Georgia.

Philanthropy: This refers to efforts made by individuals or organizations to improve human welfare. Oglethorpe's plan for Georgia can be seen as an act of philanthropy because he intended it as a refuge for England's poor and indebted population.