
TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN - AUTHOR'S DEDICATION - TO - MY DEAR WIFE PAULINE - WITH THE WORDS OF LUTHER
Produced by Charles Aldarondo, Tiffany Vergon, Anne Folland,
AUTHOR'S PREFACE.
LUTHER'S LIFE. - PART I. - LUTHER'S CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH UP TO HIS ENTERING THE CONVENT.—1483-1505. - CHAPTER I. - BIRTH AND PARENTAGE.
CHAPTER II. - CHILDHOOD AND SCHOOLDAYS.
CHAPTER III. - STUDENT-DAYS AT ERFURT AND ENTRY INTO THE CONVENT. 1501-1505.
PART II. - LUTHER AS MONK AND PROFESSOR, UNTIL HIS ENTRY ON THE WAR OF REFORMATION—1505-1517. - CHAPTER I. - AT THE CONTENT AT ERFURT, TILL 1508.
CHAPTER II. - CALL TO WITTENBERG. JOURNEY TO ROME.
CHAPTER III. - LUTHER AS THEOLOGICAL TEACHER, TO 1517
PART III. - THE BREACH WITH ROME, UP TO THE DIET OF WORMS. 1517-21. - CHAPTER I. - THE NINETY-FIVE THESES.
The biography offers a vivid, illustrated portrait of a man whose ideas reshaped German religious life. It follows his modest upbringing, his rigorous schooling, and the restless spirit that led him to the monastery, where he wrestled with doubts and a growing desire for deeper truth. Through contemporary portraits and facsimiles of his own writings, readers glimpse the personal struggles that forged his character. The narrative paints a picture of a scholar‑monk caught between tradition and an inner call for reform.
As his studies intensify, the book traces the pivotal moments that ignited his challenge to the established church—particularly the practice of selling indulgences. The story builds to his bold decision to voice his concerns publicly, culminating in the famous posting of the ninety‑five theses. This act set off a chain of debate that rippled through towns and universities, marking the first stirrings of a movement that would soon alter the course of history. The early chapters capture the tension, hope, and courage that defined his initial steps toward reform.
Language
en
Duration
~18 hours (1044K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2005-04-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1826–1902
A leading 19th-century Protestant theologian and church historian, he became especially known for his influential studies of Martin Luther. His work helped shape modern Reformation scholarship in Germany.
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