Quakers
Quakers
is the popular name for members of the Religious Society of Friends. Quakerism
developed in England in the 1600's. Today, a majority of its followers live
in the United States. England and Kenya also have large Quaker populations.
Smaller Quaker groups exist in most other parts of the world. Quakers have been
known throughout their history for their humanitarian activities. They reject
war and stress peace education. They have been pioneers in removing barriers
to racial equality and have been among the leaders in prison reform and in the
humane treatment of mental patients. Quakers have always been concerned with
education, and the high quality of their many schools and colleges has been
widely recognized. Excerpt adapted from the
"Quaker" article, The World Book Encyclopedia © 1999