George Whitefield
- Born:
- December 27, 1714, Gloucester, England
- Died:
- September 30, 1770, Newburyport, Massachusetts, British America
- Nationality:
- British
- Profession(s):
- Anglican Cleric, Evangelist, Orator
Early Life and Education
- Born in Gloucester, England, to Thomas Whitefield and Elizabeth Edwards.
- Early education at The Crypt School, Gloucester.
- Attended Pembroke College, Oxford University, where he met John and Charles Wesley.
- Ordained as a deacon in the Church of England in 1736.
Career and Major Achievements
- Began preaching in Bristol and London, attracting large crowds.
- Traveled to Georgia in 1738, initiating a ministry in the American colonies.
- Key figure in the First Great Awakening, a period of religious revival in the American colonies.
- Established Bethesda Orphanage in Savannah, Georgia.
- Conducted numerous preaching tours throughout Great Britain and the American colonies.
- Known for his powerful oratory skills and dramatic preaching style.
- His sermons often drew crowds of thousands, sometimes tens of thousands.
- Instrumental in promoting Calvinistic Methodism.
- Continually raised funds for Bethesda Orphanage throughout his ministry.
Notable Works
- Published numerous sermons and journals documenting his travels and experiences.
- Writings extensively promoted his theological views and evangelistic efforts.
- Many of his sermons were transcribed and distributed widely, contributing to the spread of the evangelical movement.
Legacy and Impact
George Whitefield was a pivotal figure in the First Great Awakening and significantly influenced the development of evangelical Christianity. His preaching and fundraising efforts left a lasting impact on both sides of the Atlantic. Someone researching a 'george whitefield biography pdf download' would likely find sources detailing his profound effect on religious life and social reform.