Baltimore - Family
Baltimore, the hereditary title of the Calvert family, the English family that founded Maryland.
George Calvert(1580?–1632) was an important political figure in England, serving in Parliament and as James I's secretary of state. Long interested in the New World, he was given land in Newfoundland by James in 1623. In 1625, after announcing his conversion to Catholicism, he resigned his government posts. He was rewarded for his services by being created Baron Baltimore. In 1627 he settled in Newfoundland, but he found the climate unfavorable. He was granted a second tract of land (what is now Maryland) in 1632, but died before the charter was approved.
Cecilius Calvert,Second Baron Baltimore (1605?–1675), the son of George Calvert, was the first lord proprietor of Maryland. He established the province as a refuge for fellow Catholics but never went there himself.
Leonard Calvert(1606–1647), his brother, was sent to Maryland as its first governor. He arrived there in 1634 with some 200 colonists, many of them Catholics.
Charles Calvert,Third Baron Baltimore (1637–1715), served as governor of Maryland under his father, Cecilius, from 1661 until 1675, when he succeeded to the proprietorship. By that time, Maryland had become predominantly Protestant and his rule was unpopular. In 1691 England assumed governing rights, but Calvert retained ownership.