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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Quakers
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Christian sect founded in the 1650s by George *Fox, called by him (and by Quakers themselves) the Society of Friends. The term 'Quaker' was applied to several of the religious visionaries and eccentrics characteristic of the mid-17C, deriving from their fits of ecstasy; it was possibly reinforced by Fox's bidding everyone to tremble at the word of the Lord. It has remained the term used by outsiders for the Friends, though it is no longer derogatory in intent.
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The movement spread rapidly; by 1662 as many as 60 Quaker missionaries had crossed to North America. Like Fox and his followers in England, they were frequently imprisoned and persecuted for their uncompromising rejection of established religion and for their often eccentric and violent behaviour. Meanwhile a few members of the higher classes in society began to join the cause, most notably William *Penn.
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It was in the calmer 18C that Quakers acquired the reputation which has remained with them, that of quiet strength. They have played a prominent part in British philanthropy and have led the cause of pacifism (as well as being noted makers of *chocolate). Today there are about a quarter of a million practising Quakers in the world, faithful still to George Fox's original vision – that true religious experience is not the pomp and ceremony of liturgy, but a quiet meeting of friends who will allow the voice of God to be heard in and through each of them. Their term for this is the Inward Light. (For the number of Quakers in England, see *Christians.)
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