George Fox Digg’d Out of His Burrowes

Though known for his devotion to religious liberty and tolerance of religious minorities—including Quakers—in Rhode Island, Roger Williams was involved in a strange public controversy with prominent Quaker leader, George Fox. In 1672, Williams penned 14 propositions against the Quaker religion, challenging Fox—who was visiting Rhode Island at the time—to a debate. When Fox left without responding, three of his followers accepted the invitation. This work was published in 1676. It records the debate and surrounding events, and eventually spurred Fox to publish a reply the following year.