Leonard Calvert

1606 to June 9, 1647

Leonard was the second son of George Calvert.  He was the first Governor of Maryland, from 1633-1647.  He led the initial expedition from England to the new colony, established good relations with the local Indians, selected the site of the capital at St. Mary’s City, and attempted to execute the orders and designs of his brother amidst the almost constant hostility of the Virginians.  He was out of the colony for almost two years following Richard Ingle’s invasion of Maryland in 1645, but finally restored proprietary authority and died soon after.  He made Margaret Brent his legal representative.