Regular readers of this blog have no doubt noticed my interest in Church history. While the seed for this interest was planted decades ago, it has sprouted more rapidly in recent years as I have focused my attention on one of Church history’s outstanding figures, PT Forsyth. One of the real joys of doing a PhD is being introduced to so many new names and so much unfamiliar literature. For me, this has principally been Victorian/Edwardian nonconformist theologians from Britain.

Having enjoyed these introductions so much, I thought it might be a good idea to (from time to time) share some biographical material on, and quotes from, various theologians that I come across that are of particular interest. The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography will be a principal source. The series will include posts on:

• Matthew Arnold
• James Baldwin Brown
• John Caird
• John McLeod Campbell
• Reginald John Campbell
• Samuel Cox
• Robert William Dale
• James Denney
• Andrew Martin Fairbairn
• PT Forsyth
• Alfred Ernest Garvie
• William John Fairchild Huxtable
• Lawrence Pearsall Jacks
• John Scott Lidgett
• William Robertson Nicoll
• James Orr
• Joseph Parker
• Hastings Rashdall
• Vincent Taylor
• John Sheldon Whale

(If there’s a biography that you’d particularly like to see included, let me know … and why).

Note: Additional dictionary content from The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography can be obtained free in the UK from public libraries thanks to a national deal with the MLA.