**DEFINITION:**
Phillip Calvert (1626–1682) was an English colonial administrator who served as the Governor of Maryland from 1660 to 1661. He was a member of the prominent Calvert family, which played a central role in the founding and governance of the Maryland colony.
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# Phillip Calvert (Governor)
Phillip Calvert (1626–1682) was an English colonial official and member of the Calvert family, notable for his brief tenure as the Governor of the Province of Maryland. As the younger brother of Cecil Calvert, 2nd Baron Baltimore, the proprietary governor of Maryland, Phillip played a significant role in the early administration and development of the colony during a period marked by political and religious tensions. His governorship, though short, was part of the broader Calvert family efforts to establish Maryland as a haven for English Catholics and a prosperous English colony in North America.
## Early Life and Family Background
Phillip Calvert was born in 1626 into the influential Calvert family, which held the proprietary rights to the Maryland colony. His father, George Calvert, 1st Baron Baltimore, was the original proprietor who sought to establish a colony in the New World as a refuge for English Catholics facing persecution. After George Calvert’s death in 1632, the proprietorship passed to Phillip’s elder brother, Cecil Calvert, who became the 2nd Baron Baltimore and oversaw the founding and governance of Maryland.
The Calvert family was deeply involved in the political and religious affairs of England and its colonies. Raised in a Catholic household during a time of Protestant dominance in England, Phillip Calvert’s upbringing was shaped by the religious conflicts that influenced much of the political landscape of the 17th century. This background informed his role in Maryland, a colony founded on principles of religious tolerance, particularly for Catholics.
## Role in the Maryland Colony
### Early Involvement
Phillip Calvert arrived in Maryland in the mid-17th century, joining his brother Cecil in the administration of the colony. His involvement was part of the Calvert family’s strategy to maintain direct control over the colony’s governance and to ensure the proprietary interests were protected. Phillip’s presence in Maryland helped solidify the Calvert family’s influence and provided a trusted representative to manage colonial affairs.
### Governorship (1660–1661)
Phillip Calvert was appointed Governor of Maryland in 1660, succeeding Josias Fendall, who had been removed from office following a rebellion against proprietary authority. Phillip’s governorship was marked by efforts to restore order and reaffirm the Calvert family’s control over the colony after the political instability caused by Fendall’s rebellion.
During his tenure, Phillip Calvert worked to stabilize the colony’s government and maintain the delicate balance between the Protestant majority and the Catholic proprietors. His administration focused on enforcing proprietary laws, managing relations with Native American tribes, and promoting economic development through agriculture and trade.
Although his term as governor lasted only about a year, Phillip Calvert’s leadership helped reestablish proprietary authority and set the stage for subsequent governance under his successors. After stepping down as governor, he continued to be involved in Maryland’s political affairs and land management.
## Political and Religious Context
The period of Phillip Calvert’s governorship occurred during a time of significant religious and political tension both in England and its American colonies. The English Civil War and the subsequent Restoration of the monarchy in 1660 had profound effects on colonial governance. Maryland, founded as a refuge for Catholics, faced challenges from Protestant settlers and competing political factions.
Phillip Calvert’s administration had to navigate these complexities, balancing the proprietary family’s Catholic identity with the realities of a predominantly Protestant settler population. The colony’s policy of religious tolerance, enshrined in the Maryland Toleration Act of 1649, was a key element in maintaining peace, though tensions persisted.
## Later Life and Legacy
After his governorship, Phillip Calvert remained an influential figure in Maryland. He managed extensive landholdings and continued to support the proprietary government. His contributions to the colony’s early development helped ensure the survival and growth of Maryland during a formative period.
Phillip Calvert died in 1682. While his time as governor was brief, his role as a member of the Calvert family and colonial administrator contributed to the establishment of Maryland as a significant English colony in North America. The Calvert family’s legacy, including Phillip’s service, is remembered for its impact on religious tolerance and colonial governance.
## Conclusion
Phillip Calvert’s life and career were closely intertwined with the early history of Maryland. As governor and proprietary representative, he played a key role in stabilizing the colony during a turbulent period. His efforts helped maintain the Calvert family’s proprietary control and supported the colony’s development as a place of religious tolerance and economic opportunity. Though less well-known than his brother Cecil, Phillip Calvert’s contributions remain an important part of Maryland’s colonial history.
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**META_DESCRIPTION:**
Phillip Calvert was an English colonial administrator and Governor of Maryland from 1660 to 1661, known for his role in stabilizing the colony and supporting the Calvert family’s proprietary interests. His leadership contributed to Maryland’s early development and religious tolerance.