Edwin Sandys (1561–1629)

Edwin Sandys (1561–1629) was an English clergyman and colonist, known primarily for his prominent role in the Virginia Company and his efforts to reform the Church of England. He was the second son of Edwin Sandys, Archbishop of York.

Sandys was educated at Merchant Taylors' School and St John's College, Oxford, later becoming a fellow of Corpus Christi College, Oxford. He entered Parliament in 1586, representing Andover, and subsequently served in other constituencies.

His involvement with the Virginia Company was significant. He became treasurer of the company in 1619, a position he held until 1620. During his tenure, Sandys advocated for policies aimed at developing the colony of Virginia, including the introduction of representative government through the establishment of the House of Burgesses, the importation of women to encourage settlement and family life, and the promotion of tobacco cultivation as a means of economic stability. His liberal policies and emphasis on self-governance in Virginia were often at odds with the Crown, particularly with King James I, who sought greater control over the colony.

Sandys's Puritan leanings and his support for reforms within the Church of England also brought him into conflict with the established religious authorities. He faced opposition and imprisonment due to his involvement in advocating for religious changes and his perceived challenge to royal authority.

Despite the challenges he faced, Edwin Sandys played a vital role in the early development of the Virginia colony and left a lasting impact on the political and social landscape of early colonial America. His commitment to representative government and economic development shaped the trajectory of the colony's growth.