James Oglethorpe played an important role in Georgia's history for 5 reasons: Who: Jame Oglethorpe is the well-known founder and leader of the Georgia colony. What: He, along with his friends were given a royal charter. When: The said royal charter was given to their group dating back in 1732. Where: The colony that they need to found should be located between Spanish Florida and South Carolina. Why: The charter is given to them to reach a goal and that is to found a colony. Once the colony was found, trustees would govern it to put it back under royal control.