Jonathan Edwards: The First Critical Biography 1889 (Jonathan Edwards Classic Studies)

While there were earlier biographies and memoirs of Jonathan Edwards the great eighteenth-century religious figure than the one written by A. V. G. Allen they were apologetic versions that had been produced by Edwardss disciples. Allens stands out as the first to approach the life of Edwards comprehensively and critically attempting to discern the positive and negative elements in his thought. Nearly forgotten today Allens book deserves a place among the landmark studies on Edwards. Alexander Viets Griswold Allen (1841-1908) was an Episcopalian priest and theologian educated at Andover Theological Seminary. After being the first rector of St. Johns Church Lawrence Massachusetts he was appointed Professor of Church History in the Episcopal Theological School Cambridge Massachusetts. His principal writings are Continuity of Christian Thought; Freedom in the Church or The Doctrine of Christ; Christian Institutions; and Life and Letters of Phillips Brooks.