author
John Summerfield
Remembered as a brilliant young Methodist preacher, he drew huge crowds in Britain and the United States before dying at just 27. His short life left such a strong impression that memoirs, sermons, and biographies kept his name alive long after his death.
1 Audiobook
About the author
Born in Preston, England, on January 31, 1798, he spent part of his youth in Dublin and experienced a dramatic religious conversion after a troubled period in his early life. He went on to become a Methodist preacher known for unusual energy, emotional power, and a style that made him widely admired.
His reputation grew quickly on both sides of the Atlantic. After preaching in Ireland and England, he traveled to the United States, where large congregations came to hear him and his influence spread rapidly within American Methodism.
He died in New York City on June 13, 1825, still a very young man. Even so, his impact was lasting enough that later writers preserved his sermons and life story, and churches and institutions were named in his honor.