Cecil Calvert, also known as the 2nd Baron Baltimore, was an English nobleman born in 1605. He is best known for founding the colony of Maryland in North America. Calvert received a charter from King Charles I in 1632, which granted him the authority to establish a colony as a refuge for Catholics facing persecution in England. As the proprietor of Maryland, Calvert aimed to create a place where religious freedom was practiced. He implemented policies that encouraged tolerance among different faiths, particularly between Catholics and Protestants. His leadership helped shape the early governance and social structure of the colony.