author
Washington Gladden
1836–1918
A pioneering minister and writer, this influential voice of the Social Gospel urged Christians to face the social problems of modern life instead of looking away. His sermons, journalism, and books helped shape progressive religious thought in America.
2 Audiobooks
Who Wrote the Bible? : a Book for the People
by Washington Gladden
The Church and Modern Life
by Washington Gladden
About the author
Born in Pennsylvania in 1836, Washington Gladden became an American Congregational minister, journalist, and author whose work linked faith with public life. He studied at Williams College and served churches in New York and Massachusetts before beginning his long pastorate at First Congregational Church in Columbus, Ohio, in 1882.
Gladden is remembered as one of the early leaders of the Social Gospel movement, which argued that Christianity should speak to poverty, labor conditions, corruption, and other social injustices. Alongside his ministry, he wrote widely and took part in reform causes, including civic politics in Columbus and public campaigns against political corruption.
He also wrote hymns and books, bringing a clear, practical style to religious writing. By the time of his death in 1918, he had become one of the best-known Protestant voices for applying moral conviction to everyday social problems.