George Fox

An English dissenter and the primary founder of the Religious Society of Friends, commonly known as the Quakers. He advocated for a direct, personal experience of the divine, famously preaching that "Christ is come to teach his people himself." He rejected formal church hierarchies, titles, and rituals, emphasizing the "Inner Light" present in every individual. His refusal to take oaths or bow to social superiors led to frequent imprisonments, yet he remained a tireless advocate for social justice and peace. His thought laid the groundwork for modern concepts of religious freedom and egalitarianism.