Basil Mathews

Born in Oxford on August 28, 1879, Basil Joseph Mathews became known as an English historian, biographer, and writer on the ecumenical movement. Early in his career he worked as a librarian and journalist, and he also served as Editorial Secretary of the London Missionary Society.

During the First World War, he worked for the British Ministry of Information. Over time he wrote many books on missions, Christian history, biography, and international religious life, including works that continued to circulate widely enough to appear in major library catalogs and audiobook archives.

Mathews died on March 29, 1951. He is remembered for writing that tried to bring history, faith, and world Christianity to general readers in a clear and accessible way.