author
Phillips Brooks
1835–1893
Remembered as one of the great American preachers of the 19th century, he led Boston's Trinity Church and later served briefly as Bishop of Massachusetts. He is also the writer of the beloved Christmas carol "O Little Town of Bethlehem."
1 Audiobook
Addresses by the Right Reverend Phillips Brooks
by Phillips Brooks
About the author
Born in Boston on December 13, 1835, he studied at Harvard and then at the Virginia Theological Seminary before entering the Episcopal ministry. He first served in Philadelphia, where his reputation as a powerful and deeply human preacher began to grow.
He became especially well known as rector of Trinity Church in Boston, where his sermons drew wide attention and helped make him one of the best-known church leaders in the United States. In 1891 he was elected Bishop of Massachusetts, a role he held until his death in Boston on January 23, 1893.
Beyond the pulpit, he left a lasting place in American culture through the words of "O Little Town of Bethlehem," written after a visit to the Holy Land. His legacy joins eloquent preaching, pastoral warmth, and a style of faith that still feels direct and accessible.