John Bunyan

John Bunyan is one of the most renowned authors of all time, having written some of the most beloved works of Christian literature. Through his work, he helped spread the ideals of Protestantism in England and around the world. Born in 1628 in Elstow, Bedfordshire, to a family of tanners, Bunyan grew up in a society where religion was a major part of life. He was a self-taught man, and made a living as a travelling tinker and preacher. After several brief incarcerations during the Cromwellian period, Bunyan wrote his most famous work, The Pilgrim’s Progress, in 1678.

Bunyan's works were largely devotional, but the two works which were published during his lifetime, The Life and Death of Mr. Badman and The Pilgrim's Progress, were intentional political allegories. The Pilgrim’s Progress is recognized as one of the most influential works in English literature, and is still read and studied today. As the work gains new readers and cultural importance, it has been adapted into many theatrical and screen versions.

The Pilgrim's Progress follows Christian, a pilgrim on his way to the Celestial City, representing Christian salvation. The story begins when Christian is challenged by Evangelist in the City of Destruction, inspiring him to venture away and face a series of trials. Christian meets a variety of figures and obstacles on his journey, encountering everything from the “Slough of Despond” to the Vanity Fair. These figures serve as ways of conveying Bunyan’s message of sin, virtue and salvation. By the end of the story, Christian reaches his destination and his faith is ultimately realized.

Bunyan continued to write several other works during his lifetime, including Evidence for the Faith (1672), The Doctrine of the Law and Grace Unfolded (1673) and The Jerusalem Sinner Saved (1689). He also wrote numerous spiritual autobiographies, such as Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners (1666). These works earned him a reputation as one of the greatest English moralist authors, while his own moral code was informed by his Puritan beliefs.

John Bunyan died in 1688, leaving behind a body of work that was part religious, part political, and all deeply personal. He was a major influence on religious writers, particularly those of the Puritan tradition, and the impact of his writings can still be felt today. His story of Christian’s journey in The Pilgrim’s Progress is an evergreen work of faith which still resonates with readers around the world.