Аннотация

The article is devoted to the ideas and personality of one of the most outstanding figures of the early New England history. The article is based upon the careful examination of 17th century sources: writings of Samuel Gorton and his opponents, records of New England colonies, diaries, correspondence. The main purpose of the article is to analyze Gorton’s mystical religious ideas and radical political statements. Gorton was a founder of Warwick, one of the four initial settlements in Rhode Island. The author attempts to trace the influence of his radical political theories on the development of the home colony.