[allmost]

John Locke. The letter being mainly quoted from in the article is here: http://www.constitution.org/jl/tolerati.htm

It's first and foremost a religious affirmation and commentary but it seems to be sprinkled with as much freedom and dissenting views as was allowed in 1689. Scrolling down around halfway he starts to sound like a libertarian.

[allmost]

I wouldn’t consider it a stretch to assume he may have influenced some of this Country’s founders.