J. A. (James Aitken) Wylie

Born in Kirriemuir, Scotland, in 1808, J. A. Wylie trained for the ministry and became a Presbyterian minister as well as a prolific religious writer. He is most widely remembered for The History of Protestantism, a large historical work that kept his name in print long after his lifetime.

Wylie also wrote on Scottish history, the papacy, and church controversies, combining historical narrative with strong Protestant conviction. Contemporary reference works describe him as both a minister and a historian of religion, which fits the tone of his books: learned, energetic, and clearly written for readers outside the academy.

He died in 1890. Today he is mainly read by people interested in Reformation history, 19th-century Protestant thought, and older religious works that aim to tell big stories on a grand scale.