James Edward Oglethorpe
Explore Georgia history through the story of Georgia’s most famous founding father, James Edward Oglethorpe. The biographical materials in this exhibit tell the story of Oglethorpe’s life with an emphasis on the founding of America’s thirteenth colony. Inside each chapter linked below, you will read about Oglethorpe’s life and explore images and other primary sources from the Georgia Historical Society collection.
Get an overview of James Edward Oglethorpe’s life and legacy with this short biography.
Read about Oglethorpe’s early life, including his family background, schooling, and early military career.
Learn the story behind Oglethorpe’s passion for establishing the Georgia Colony and his role as a Georgia Trustee.
Learn how Oglethorpe and the first Georgia colonists settled Georgia’s first city on the bluffs of the Savannah River.
Learn about Savannah’s innovative city plan and Oglethorpe’s role laying out Georgia’s first city.
Learn about the diplomatic friendship between Oglethorpe and Tomochichi, chief of the Yamacraw.
Learn about Oglethorpe’s efforts to defend English colonial interests in Georgia and South Carolina against the Spanish.
Learn about Oglethorpe’s relationship with diverse religious groups in the Georgia colony.
Learn about Oglethorpe’s role settling Ebenezer, Fort Frederica, Darien, and Brunswick.
Watch videos about Oglethorpe from Sophia’s Schoolhouse and Today in Georgia History.
Created in 2008 for the Georgia History Festival with funding from the City of Savannah Department of Cultural Affairs. Updated July 2016.
