The Life of John Wesley

A Definitive Account of Methodism's Founder

The Life and Times of the Rev. John Wesley, M.A. by Luke Tyerman is a monumental and highly influential biography of the founder of Methodism. Published in three volumes in the late 19th century, this work is celebrated for its exhaustive research and its complete coverage of Wesley’s life and work. Tyerman's detailed account provided a new standard for biographical scholarship on Wesley, drawing extensively on his diaries, letters, and journals to create an authoritative portrait of a tireless evangelist, a brilliant organizer, and a profound spiritual thinker.

The Making of a Spiritual Leader

The book chronicles Wesley’s entire life, beginning with his upbringing in a devout Anglican family and his education at Oxford University. It details his early struggles with faith, his unsuccessful missionary work in Georgia, and the pivotal moment of his Aldersgate conversion in 1738, an experience that ignited his passion for a new kind of evangelism. Tyerman’s narrative follows Wesley as he embarks on his life's work: traveling thousands of miles on horseback, preaching thousands of sermons, and organizing small groups of believers into the disciplined, dynamic movement that would become Methodism. The book details his theological conflicts, his personal relationships, and his unwavering dedication to spreading the Christian message to the working class.

A Legacy of Religious Revival and Social Reform

Tyerman’s biography places Wesley at the center of the great 18th-century religious revival in England. The work highlights how Wesley's emphasis on personal salvation, practical holiness, and a passionate, experiential faith transformed the religious landscape. Beyond his spiritual impact, Tyerman also explores Wesley's commitment to social justice. The book recounts Wesley’s advocacy for the poor, his opposition to slavery, and his work to improve the lives of ordinary people through education and philanthropy. Tyerman's work is a testament to how Wesley’s religious revival was intertwined with a profound social and moral reformation.