C. T. (Charles Taze) Russell

Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1852, Charles Taze Russell was raised in a Presbyterian family and worked in the clothing business before turning his attention to religion. As a young man he became deeply dissatisfied with traditional teachings on hell and eternal punishment, and he began studying the Bible with other seekers who were influenced by Adventist ideas.

Russell became best known as a preacher, writer, and organizer. He founded the magazine Zion's Watch Tower in 1879 and helped build the movement of Bible Students, which later developed into several related groups. He also wrote the widely circulated Studies in the Scriptures series and traveled extensively as a lecturer, using print and public speaking to spread his views.

He died in 1916 while traveling in Texas. Although later religious groups developed in different directions, Russell remains an important figure in the history of American religious publishing and prophetic Christianity.