author
Leonard Woolsey Bacon
1830–1907
A Congregational minister, social commentator, and prolific writer, he explored religion, reform, and American history with unusual range. His books and essays reflect a life spent in the pulpit, in print, and in public debate.
1 Audiobook
A History of American Christianity
by Leonard Woolsey Bacon
About the author
Born in New Haven, Connecticut, on January 1, 1830, Leonard Woolsey Bacon was the son of the well-known minister Leonard Bacon. He graduated from Yale in 1850, studied theology at Andover and Yale, and went on to serve Congregational churches in Connecticut, Brooklyn, and New Haven.
Bacon was more than a pastor. He also wrote extensively on religious, social, and historical subjects, building a reputation as a thoughtful commentator on public life as well as church affairs. Part of his career was spent in Europe, especially in Geneva, where he continued his work as a student, preacher, and writer.
He is remembered today both for his ministry and for the breadth of his authorship. Among his notable works is A History of American Christianity, a book that helped introduce many readers to the story of religion in the United States. He died on May 12, 1907.