Thomas Hooker was a Puritan minister and a key figure in the early colonial history of America. Born in England around 1586, he became known for his strong beliefs in religious freedom and democratic governance. In 1636, he led a group of followers from the Massachusetts Bay Colony to establish the Connecticut Colony, where he advocated for a government based on the consent of the governed. Hooker is often referred to as the "Father of Connecticut" due to his significant role in its founding. He also helped draft the Fundamental Orders of 1638, which is considered one of the first written constitutions that created a government. His ideas influenced the development of democratic principles in the New World.