Who was the leader of Maryland known for promoting the Act of Toleration?

Cecil Calvert, also known as Lord Baltimore, was the leader of Maryland who played a crucial role in promoting the Act of Toleration in 1649. This law was significant because it granted religious freedom to all Christians and sought to protect the rights of Catholics in a predominantly Protestant region. Maryland was established as a haven for Catholics fleeing persecution in England, and the Act of Toleration was an early attempt to ensure peace between differing Christian sects, reflecting Calvert's desire to create a diverse and tolerant society. His leadership and advocacy for religious freedom were foundational in Maryland's early governance, making him an essential figure in early American history and the development of religious tolerance in the colonies.