Colonial Governor. The wife of William Penn, she became his second wife when she was 24 and he was 52. When he suffered a stroke in 1712, she began administering the affairs of Pennsylvania. She ruled in his name for six years, and then, upon his death, assumed full control over his property and the colony in her own right. William's oldest son by his first marriage tried to overturn his father's will in court, but was unsuccessful. Hannah Penn governed the colony for 8 years until her death. Her service in Pennsylvania stands as the longest governance by any woman in the history of the British empire. In 1984, United States President Ronald Reagan made her the first woman to be an honorary citizen of the United States.
Colonial Governor. The wife of William Penn, she became his second wife when she was 24 and he was 52. When he suffered a stroke in 1712, she began administering the affairs of Pennsylvania. She ruled in his name for six years, and then, upon his death, assumed full control over his property and the colony in her own right. William's oldest son by his first marriage tried to overturn his father's will in court, but was unsuccessful. Hannah Penn governed the colony for 8 years until her death. Her service in Pennsylvania stands as the longest governance by any woman in the history of the British empire. In 1984, United States President Ronald Reagan made her the first woman to be an honorary citizen of the United States.
Bio by: Anglofranc
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