author
William Montgomery Brown
1855–1937
Best remembered as the Episcopal bishop who shocked his church by embracing socialism, materialism, and open religious dissent, he led a life full of sharp turns and public controversy. His books and speeches made him a striking figure in early 20th-century debates about faith, science, and politics.
1 Audiobook
Communism and Christianism Analyzed and Contrasted from the Marxian and Darwinian Points of View
by William Montgomery Brown
About the author
Born in Ohio in 1855, William Montgomery Brown rose from modest beginnings to become an Episcopal priest and eventually bishop of Arkansas. Church records note his theological training, his early ministry in Galion, Ohio, and his consecration as bishop at the turn of the 20th century.
What makes him stand out is the dramatic shift in his beliefs. After serving as a church leader, he moved toward materialism, socialism, and eventually communism, arguing openly against traditional Christian doctrine in his writing. That change led to one of the most unusual church trials in American religious history: he was tried and removed from office for heresy in 1925.
Brown later became known as both a controversial speaker and a prolific author, with works including Communism and Christianism. He died in 1937, and his story still draws interest because it sits at the crossroads of religion, politics, and radical social thought.