Christianity and Modern Thought

James Freeman Clarke

1810–1888

A leading 19th-century Unitarian minister and popular religious writer, he brought a broad, curious mind to subjects ranging from Christian faith to the world’s major religions. His books helped introduce many American readers to comparative religion in a clear, accessible way.

Athanase Coquerel

1820–1875

A leading voice in 19th-century French Protestant liberalism, he was known for thoughtful preaching, lively public debate, and a deep interest in how faith and modern ideas could speak to each other.

Orville Dewey

1794–1882

Raised on a Massachusetts farm and later drawn to liberal religion, this 19th-century preacher became known for thoughtful sermons and warmly reasoned essays. His writing reflects a practical, humane faith that helped shape American Unitarianism.

Charles Carroll Everett

1829–1900

A 19th-century American theologian and philosopher, he helped shape liberal religious thought at Harvard while writing accessibly about faith, ethics, and the life of the mind. His work brings together Christian theology, philosophy, and a broad curiosity about religion.

Frederic Henry Hedge

1805–1890

A key early voice in American Transcendentalism, this Unitarian minister helped spark the conversations that shaped the movement, even as he kept an independent mind of his own. He was also widely respected for bringing German literature and theology to American readers.

James Martineau

1805–1900

A leading 19th-century Unitarian thinker, he wrote with unusual clarity about conscience, religion, and moral life. His work helped shape liberal religious thought in Britain and still speaks to readers interested in faith and philosophy.

Andrew P. (Andrew Preston) Peabody

1811–1893

A gifted preacher and essayist, this 19th-century Unitarian thinker entered Harvard at an unusually young age and went on to become one of its best-known moral philosophers. His writing blends clear intellect with a warm, practical interest in religion, ethics, and everyday character.

George Vance Smith

d. 1902

A 19th-century Unitarian minister and biblical scholar, he became known for thoughtful, independent work on scripture and for taking part in the revision of the New Testament that led to the English Revised Version of 1881.

Oliver Stearns

1807–1885

A 19th-century Unitarian minister and Harvard teacher, he wrote sermons and religious essays that linked faith with public questions of his day, including slavery. His work offers a window into American religious and intellectual life before and after the Civil War.