Charles M. Sheldon

Born in 1857, Charles M. Sheldon was an American Congregational minister, editor, and author whose work blended preaching with popular storytelling. He served for many years in Topeka, Kansas, where he became known for writing fiction with a strong social and moral focus.

His most famous book, In His Steps, began as a series of sermons and was published in book form in 1897. It became an extraordinary bestseller and is closely linked with the phrase “What would Jesus do?”, which remained widely recognized long after its first publication.

Sheldon continued writing novels, religious works, and socially minded fiction over the course of his career. He died in 1946, leaving behind a body of work remembered for its clear, direct style and its effort to connect faith with everyday choices.