TIMELINE of Minor & Major People

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MAJOR ONLY: WORLD | RELIGIOUS | PEOPLE | ALL

MINOR & MAJOR: WORLD | RELIGIOUS | PEOPLE | ALL

B.C. | A.D. 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 11th 12th 13th 14th 15th 16th 17th 18th 19th 20th 21st

All People

A.D. 1330/31–Dec 1384

John WycliffeJohn Wycliffe (Wyckuffe) (A.D. 1330–31 Dec 1384) is regarded as the first Christian Reformer. He was instrumental in translating the Bible into... more

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A.D. 1341–1504

Isabella(A.D. 1341–1504) Queen Isabella of Spain was married to Ferdinand II of Aragon and was renowned for her devotion to the Catholic Church. more

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c. A.D. 1342–1400

Gregory ChaucerGregory Chaucer (c. A.D. 1342–1400) wrote the influential The Canterbury Tales that tell the story of stock characters from the three different esta... more

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A.D. 1364–c. 1430

Christine de Pisan(A.D. 1364–c. 1430) Christine de Pisan was a prominent medieval writer from Italy who was raised in the French court. She wrote poetry, ballads, epi... more

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A.D. 1369–6 July 1415

Jan HussJan Hus (A.D. 1369–6 July 1415), also known as Iohannes Hus and Johannes Huss was a Czech theologian, philosopher, scholar, and religious leader is ... more

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15th CENTURY

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A.D. 1415–1471

Sir Thomas Malary(A.D. 1415–1471) The author of Le Morte d’Arthur, the most comprehensive treatment of the legend of King Arthur giving insights to medieval societ... more

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c. A.D. 1422–1491

William Caxton(c. A.D. 1422–1491) William Caxton is frequently considered to be the person who introduced the printing press into England. He set up his press in ... more

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A.D. 1 Jan 1431–8 Aug 1503

Alexander VI(A.D. 1 Jan 1431–8 Aug 1503) Born Roderic Borgia and became pope on August 11, 1492. Considered one of the most corrupt popes for nepotism and fathe... more

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A.D. 1452–1498

Girolamo Savonarola(A.D. 1452–1498) Girolamo Savonarola was a Dominican friar in Florence who fought against clerical corruption, tyrannical rule, and oppression of th... more

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A.D. 1463–1494

Giovanni Pico(A.D. 1463–1494) Giovanni Pico della Mirandola was an Italian philosopher during the Italian Renaissance. He famously drafted 900 theses on religion... more

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A.D. 1463–1525

Frederick the WiseFrederick III (A.D. 1463–1525) was an Elector from Saxony who famously protected Martin Luther from the Holy Roman Emperor, the Pope, and others. Al... more

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A.D. 1465–1519

Johann Tetzel(A.D. 1465–1519) Johann Tetzel was a German preacher, theologian, and inquisitor who became infamous for his unscrupulous practices in selling indul... more

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A.D. 28 Dec 1466–12 Jul 1536

Desiderius Erasmus(A.D. 28 Dec 1466–12 Jul 1536) Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus is often referred to as the Prince of the Humanists. He was renowned as the greatest s... more

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A.D. 1468–1549

Paul III(A.D. 1468–1549) Paul III was Bishop of Rome and Pope from A.D. 1534 until his death in 1549. During his reign, the counterreformation flourished, a... more

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A.D. 1469–1534

Cardinal Cajetan(A.D. 1469–1534) Thomas Cajetan was an Italian philosopher and theologian who served as Cardinal from A.D. 1517 until his death. Cardinal Cajetan wa... more

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A.D. 1469–1492

Lorenzo de MediciLorenzo de Medici (A.D. 1469–1492) was an Italian banker and statesman in the Republic of Florence. He became the de facto ruler of Florence and use... more

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A.D. 1473–1543

Nicolaus CopernicusNicolaus Copernicus (A.D. 1473–1543) was a Polish Renaissance-era mathematician and astronomer who made an early contribution to the Scientific Revo... more

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A.D. 1475–1521

Leo X(A.D. 1475–1521) Leo X was Bishop of Rome and Pope from A.D. 1513 until his death in 1521. He was loose with papal finances and permitted the exchan... more

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A.D. 1478–1534

Clement VII(A.D. 1478–1534) Clement VII was Pope from A.D. 1523 until his death in 1534. Clement VII had the misfortune of being Pope during a highly contentio... more

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A.D. 1483–1546

Martin Luther(A.D. 1483–1546) German theologian, pastor, professor at the University of Wittenberg, ex-monk, and founding figure of Protestantism. He was known f... more

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A.D. 1484–1531

Ulrich ZwingliUlrich Zwingli (or Huldrych) (A.D. 1484–1531) Swiss pastor and theologian based in Zurich, a founding figure of the Reformed Protestant tradition, m... more

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A.D. 1485–1536

Catherine of Aragon(A.D. 1485–1536) Catherine of Aragon was the daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain. She married King Henry VIII of England but failed to produ... more

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A.D. 1485–1547

Hernan Cortes(A.D. 1485–1547) Hernan Cortes was a Spanish conquistador who toppled the Aztec Empire and conquered much of present-day Mexico for Spain. more

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A.D. 1486–1543

Johann Maier von Eck(A.D. 1486–1543) Johann Maier von Eck, also known as John Eck, was a Catholic German theologian. He was a theological opponent to Martin Luther and ... more

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A.D. 1486–1541

Andreas Karlstadt(A.D. 1486–1541) Andreas Karlstadt was a prominent German Protestant theologian. He was a close associate of Martin Luther but later parted from Lut... more

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A.D. 1489–1556

Thomas Cranmer(A.D. 1489–1556) Thomas Cranmer was instrumental in establishing the Church of England, supporting the principle of Royal Supremacy. He was critical... more

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c. A.D. 1490–1529

Karl von Miltitz(c. A.D. 1490–1529) Karl von Miltitz was a diplomat for the Pope, a papal nuncio, who sought to settle the indulgence controversy brought to a head ... more

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A.D. 1490–1545

Albert(A.D. 1490–1545) Albert of Brandenburn, the Archbishop of Mainz, was a central figure in the reformation. He abused the sale of indulgences to fund ... more of Brandenburn

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A.D. 26 Jun 1491–28 Jan 1547

Henry VIII(A.D. 26 Jun 1491–28 Jan 1547) Henry VIII became King of England in 1509. Initially he rejected the Protestant reformation movement and earned the t... more

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A.D. 1496–1560

King Gustavus Vasa(A.D. 1496–1560) Gustavus Vasa was King of Sweden from A.D. 1523 until his death in 1560. After a prolonged dispute with the Pope regarding the appo... more

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A.D. 1496–1561

Menno SimonsMenno Simons (A.D. 1496–1561) A former Catholic priest in Holland who became a leader in the Dutch and North German Anabaptist communities, which we... more

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A.D. 1497–1560

Philipp MelanchthonPhilipp Melanchthon (A.D. 1497–1560) German theologian, reformer, and professor at the University of Wittenberg, Martin Luther’s colleague and bes... more

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A.D. 1498–1552

Andreas OsianderAndreas Osiander (A.D. 1498–1552) Lutheran pastor, professor, and theologian, in whose doctrine of justification believers are united to the essenti... more

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c. A.D. 1499–1542

Sebastian FranckSebastian Franck (c. A.D. 1499–1542) Leading spiritualist theologian of the radical Reformation. more

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A.D. 1500–1558

Charles V(A.D. 1500–1558) Charles V ruled over an extensive Empire, including the Holy Roman Empire, the Kingdom of Spain and it’s American territories, th... more

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c. A.D. 1500–1536

Jakob Hutter(c. A.D. 1500–1536) Jakob Hutter was an Anabaptist from the Holy Roman Empire who went on to found the Hutterites, a present-day Anabaptist group wi... more

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16th CENTURY

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c. A.D. 1501–1536

Anne Boleyn(c. A.D. 1501–1536) Anne Boleyn was the second wife of King Henry VIII. She refused to become his mistress, which caused him to increasingly fixate ... more

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A.D. 1507–1582

Duke of Alva(A.D. 1507–1582) The Duke of Alva was a Spanish noble and general who was appointed governor of the Spanish Netherlands. His heavy handed methods in... more

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A.D. 1509–1564

John CalvinJohn Calvin (A.D. 1509-1564) French Protestant theologian who lived most of his adult life in Geneva. He was the most influential figure in Refor... more

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c. A.D. 1511–1553

Michael ServetusMichael Servetus (c. A.D. 1511–1553) Anti trinitarian theologian, arrested and executed in Geneva on evidence Calvin presented. more

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A.D. 1513–1589

Michael BaiusMichael Baius (A.D. 1513-1589) Also called Michael du Bay, professor at the University of Louvain. The Vatican in 1567 condemned this Catholic theolog... more

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A.D. 1513–24 Nov 1572

John KnoxJohn Knox (A.D. 1513–24 Nov 1572) Scottish minister who introduced Calvinist Reformed Protestant movement to Scotland, which became the Presbyterian... more

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A.D. 1515–1582

Teresa of Avila(A.D. 1515–1582) Also known as Saint Teresa of Jesus; Spanish nun and mystical theologian known for her descriptions of the various levels of mystic... more

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A.D. 1516–1558

Mary TudorQueen Mary I (A.D. 1516–1558) was a Queen of England and Ireland, and daughter to King Henry VIII. During her reign, she violently sought to reverse... more

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A.D. 1525

Thomas MüntzerThomas Müntzer (c. A.D. 1490–1525) A pastor and Luther’s former student who became a leader in the Peasant Revolt of 1525, claiming authority fro... more

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A.D. 1533–1603

Queen ElizabethQueen Elizabeth I (A.D. 1533–1603) was Queen of England and Ireland and inherited a realm wracked with religious strife caused by her father, King H... more

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A.D. 1535–1600

Luis de MolinaLuis de Molina (A.D. 1535–1600) Spanish Jesuit whose theology of free will was opposed by the Dominican Thomists represented in the Congregatio de A... more

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A.D. 1536–1605

Clement VIII(A.D. 1536–1605) Clement VIII was Bishop of Rome and Pope from A.D. 1592 until his death in 1605. He reconciled King Henry IV of France to Catholici... more

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A.D. 1542–1591

John of the Cross(A.D. 1542–1591) Spanish monk, mystical theologian, Roman Catholic saint, and friend of Theresa of Avila; known for his concept of the dark night of... more

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A.D. 1550–1621

Paul V(A.D. 1550–1621) Paul V was Bishop of Rome and Pope from A.D. 1605 until his death in 1621. Papal influence in European state affairs continued to d... more

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c. A.D. 1554–1600

Richard HookerRichard Hooker (c. A.D. 1554–1600) Anglican theologian, author of the multivolume treatise The Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity, which defended the Eli... more

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A.D. 1555–1621

Johann ArndtJohann Arndt (A.D. 1555-1621) German Lutheran pastor and author of True Christianity (A.D. 1606–1609), the most important precursor to the German Pi... more

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Died A.D. 31 Jul 1556

Ignatius of Loyola(Died A.D. 31 Jul 1556) Ignatius of Loyola was a Spanish military officer who experienced a religious conversion while recovering from injuries. He fo... more

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c. A.D. 1560-1609

Jacobus ArminiusJacobus Arminius (c. A.D. 1560-1609) Dutch pastor and originator of the form of Protestant theology rejected by the Calvinists at the Synod of Dordt a... more

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A.D. 1561–1626

Francis BaconFrancis Bacon (A.D. 1561–1626) was an English philosopher and prominent statesman. He was later considered to have been the father of the scientific... more

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A.D. 1567–1622

Francis de SalesFrancis de Sales (A.D. 1567–1622) Roman Catholic bishop, French author of the highly influential devotional writings, Introduction to the Devout Lif... more

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A.D. 1573–1645

William Laud(A.D. 1573–1645) William Laud was an English scholar and Archbishop of Canterbury. He sought to impose uniformity throughout Anglicanism, which was ... more

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c. A.D. 1583–1663

Queen Nzinga(c. A.D. 1583–1663) Ana Nzinga was queen of the Mbundu people in modern day Angola. Queen Nzinga was adept in international politics, and she fought... more

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A.D. 1585–1638

Cornelius JansenCornelius Jansen (A.D. 1585–1638) Catholic bishop of Ypres in Belgium, and author of the posthumously published Augustinus (A.D. 1640), which argued... more

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A.D. 1591–1643

Anne HutchinsonAnne Hutchinson (A.D. 1591–1643) was a Puritan from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. She was a charismatic spiritual advisor whose strong views on the ... more

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c. A.D. 1596–1650

Rene DescartesRene Descartes (1596–1650) introduced the scientific method based on the premise that all learning is derived from inductive reasoning based on obse... more

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A.D. 1596–1664

AmyrautMoses Amyraut (A.D. 1596-1664) Also known by a Latinized version of his name, Amyraldus, was a French Protestant (a Huguenot) who advocated a modified... more

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A.D. 1599–1658

Oliver CromwellOliver Cromwell (A.D. 1599–1658) was an intensely religious Puritan and political leader of England. He fought for Parliament in the English Civil W... more

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17th CENTURY

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A.D. 1602–1680

Athinasius KircherAthanasius Kircher (A.D. 1602–1680) was a German Jesuit scholar, often considered to be the last Renaissance Man, he was a dominant scientific ... more

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A.D. 1615–1691

Richard BaxterRichard Baxter (A.D. 1615-1691) English Puritan, advocate of Amyraldianism or “four point Calvinism.” more

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A.D. 1616–1683

John OwenJohn Owen (A.D. 1616–1683) English Puritan, classic advocate of the high Calvinism represented by the Synod of Dordt and the Westminster Confession,... more

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A.D. Jul 1624–13 Jan 1691

George FoxGeorge Fox (A.D. Jul 1624–13 Jan 1691) Founder of the Religious Society of Friends, more commonly known as Quakers. more

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A.D. 1632–1677

Baruch SpinozaBaruch Spinoza (A.D. 1632–1677) was a Jewish-Dutch philosopher. Spinoza employed many of the concepts of Medieval scholastics with the Cartesian met... more

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A.D. 1632–1704

John LockeJohn Locke (1632–1704) applied the scientific method of using empirical observations to determine the strength of philosophical and theological idea... more

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A.D. 1635–1705

Philipp Jakob SpenerPhilip Jakob Spener (A.D. 1635–1705) German Lutheran pastor who became one of the founders of Pietism when, in 1675, he published Pia Desideria (“... more

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A.D. 1643–1729

Solomon StoddardSolomon Stoddard (A.D. 1643–1729) Puritan minister in Northampton, Massachusetts (and grandfather of Jonathan Edwards), who allowed unregenerate chu... more

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A.D. 1643–1727

Newton, Sir IsaacSir Isaac Newton (1643–1727) revolutionized society's understanding of how the physical world functioned with his scientific discoveries and by... more

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A.D. 1648–1717

Madame Jeanne GuyonMadame Jeanne Guyon (A.D. 1648–1717) Mystic, writer, and spiritual director, a major inspiration for the “semi Quietist” theology of Fénelon an... more

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A.D. 1651–1715

Francois FénelonFrancois Fénelon (A.D. 1651–1715) Archbishop of Cambrai in France, known for teachings about “pure love,” which Rome condemned as “semi Quiet... more

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A.D. 1663–1727

August Hermann FranckeAugust Hermann Francke (A.D. 1663–1727) German Lutheran pastor and theology professor at the University of Halle, protégé of Philipp Jakob Spener,... more

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A.D. 1694–1778

Voltaire(A.D. 1694-1778) Pen name of François Marie Arouet, a popular French writer, satirist, and critic of Christianity during the Enlightenment. He was a ... more

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A.D. 1700–1760

Count Nikolaus Ludwig von ZinzendorfCount Nikolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf (A.D. 1700–1760) Lutheran minister, Pietist theologian, godson of Philipp Jakob Spener, and leader of the ... more

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18th CENTURY

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A.D. 1703–1758

Jonathan EdwardsJonathan Edwards (A. D. 1703-1758) Puritan minister, Calvinist theologian, the first American theorist of revival, and leader of the Great Awakening i... more

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A.D. 1703–1791

John WesleyJohn Wesley (A.D. 1703–1791) Anglican priest, revival preacher and organizer, and together with his brother Charles, a founding figure of Methodism,... more

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A.D. 1710–1796

Thomas Reid(A.D. 1710–1796) Thomas Reid was a Scottish philosopher and contemporary and critic of David Hume. Reid advocated for a form of common sense philoso... more

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A.D. 1711–1776

HumeDavid Hume (1711–1776) used John Locke's standard to declare that it would take a miracle to believe a miracle. more

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A.D. 1712–1778

Jean-Jacque RousseauJean-Jacque Rousseau (A.D. 1712–1778) was a philosopher born in Geneva, Switzerland. He authored The Social Contract which became a cornerstone of m... more

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A.D. 16 Dec 1714–30 Sep 1770

George Whitefield(A.D. 16 Dec 1714–30 Sep 1770) George Whitefield was an ordained Anglican clergy who became one of the most popular Evangelist preachers during the ... more

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A.D. 1721–1803

Samuel HopkinsSamuel Hopkins (A.D. 1721–1803) New England Puritan pastor and theologian; student and rigorous advocate of Jonathan Edwards’s theology. He was a ... more

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A.D. 1724–1804

Immanuel Kant(A.D. 1724–1804) German thinker generally recognized as the greatest philosopher of the modern period. He revolutionized modern epistemology with th... more

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A.D. 1725–1807

Newton, JohnJohn Newton (A.D. 1725–1807) was an Anglican clergyman, author of the hymn Amazing Grace, and prominent supporter of abolition. He started his ... more

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A.D. 1729-1786

Mendelssohn(A.D. 1729-1786) Moses Mendelssohn was a Jewish philosopher from Germany who worked successfully to improve the condition of Jewish people in Germany ... more

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A.D. 1737–1809

Thomas PaineThomas Paine (A.D. 1737–1809) American political writer, author of Common Sense and The Rights of Man, but also author of the most famous work ... more

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A.D. 1743–1826

Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson (A.D. 1743–1826) was an American statesman and founding figure of the United States of America. He was the primary author of t... more

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A.D. 1759–1833

William Wilberforce(A.D. 1759–1833) William Wilberforce was an English politician, member of Parliament from 1784 to 1812, and leader of the abolitionist movement in E... more

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A.D. 1768–1834

Friedrich SchleiermacherFriedrich Schleiermacher (A.D. 1768–1834) German theologian and philosopher, minister in the Reformed church, professor at the University of Berlin ... more

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A.D. 1769–1831

Elizabeth Heyrick(A.D. 1769–1831) Elizabeth Heyrick was an English philanthropist and abolitionist. She criticized other abolitionist leaders for gradualist approach... more

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A.D. 1770–1831

Hegel(1770–1831) was a very influential philosopher in his day and espoused a philosophy based on historical consciousness that reflected the optimist co... more

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A.D. 1782–1849

William Miller(A.D. 1782–1849) William Miller was a Baptist preacher in America who started the Millerism religious movement based on Miller’s predictions of an... more

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A.D. 1788–1866

Alexander Campbell(A.D. 1788–1866) Alexander Campbell was a Scots-Irish immigrant in the United States who pioneered the Christian Restorationist movement, advocating... more

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A.D. 1792–1878

Pius IX(A.D. 1792–1878) Also known by the Italian form of his name, “Pio Nono,” pope from 1846–1878, the longest reigning pope in history, who define... more

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A.D. 1792

Charles Grandison FinneyCharles Grandison Finney (A.D. 1792–1875) Presbyterian minister, theological heir of Jonathan Edwards, and the most prominent American Revivalist in... more

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A.D. 1796–1865

Francis WaylandFrancis Wayland (A.D. 1796–1865) Baptist minister, president of Brown University (A.D. 1827–1855), and advocate of congregational autonomy and the... more

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A.D. 1797–1878

Charles HodgeCharles Hodge (A.D. 1797–1878) was an American theologian and advocate of an orthodox Calvinist theology, arguing that the Bible is the literal... more

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19th CENTURY

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A.D. 1800–1882

John Nelson Darby(A.D. 1800–1882) John Nelson Darby was an Irish Bible teacher who featured prominently in conservative evangelical movements in Ireland. He is consi... more

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A.D. 1802–1876

Horace BushnellHorace Bushnell (A.D. 1802–1876) was an American theologian and minister who, against significant opposition, taught that God could only be exp... more

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A.D. 28 Jul 1804–13 Sep 1872

Ludwig Angreas von Feuerbach(A.D. 28 Jul 1804–13 Sep 1872) Ludwig Andreas von Feuerbach was a German philosopher who is often referred to as the first master of suspicion who g... more

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A.D. 1805–1872

John Frederick Denison MauriceJohn Frederick Denison Maurice (A.D. 1805–1872) was an Anglican theologian and author, serving prominently in London and Cambridge. He was a le... more

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A.D. 1805–1844

Joseph Smith(A.D. 1805–1844) Joseph Smith, Jr. was an American religious leader who published the Book of Mormon and founded the Church of Jesus Christ of Latte... more

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A.D. 1806–1873

John Stuart MillJohn Stuart Mill (A.D. 1806–1873) was a British philosopher and Member of Parliament. He was a major proponent for utilitarianism (the eth... more

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A.D. 1806–1882

Hiram Edson(A.D. 1806–1882) Hiram Edson was a follower of Millerism and helped to establish the Seventh-day Adventist Church by introducing the idea that when ... more

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A.D. 1807–1874

Phoebe PalmerPhoebe Palmer (A.D. 1807–1874) American Methodist and Bible teacher, whose “shorter way” to the blessing of entire sanctification, “layin... more

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A.D. 1808–1874

Strauss(A.D. 1808–1874) David Friedrich Strauss was a German Protestant theologian. Strauss influence European Christianity with his writings on a “histo... more

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A.D. 1808–1888

Raphael Hirsch(A.D. 1808–1888) Raphael Hirsch was a German rabbi who defended Orthodox Judaism against modernizing influences like Reform Judaism. Hirsch taught t... more

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A.D. 1809–1882

Charles DarwinCharles Darwin (A.D. 1809–1882) was an English biologist who formulated a theory of evolution in which the struggle for survival served as a means o... more

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A.D. 1810–1874

Geiger(A.D. 1810–1874) Abraham Geiger was a Jewish scholar and rabbi who sought to modernize Judaism, emphasizing the evolution of the faith, the sup... more

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A.D. 1813–1855

Søren Kierkegaard(A.D. 1813–1855) Danish philosopher and theologian, critic of Hegelianism and modernist Christianity. Kierkegaard mocked the rationalist faith of En... more

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A.D. 1813–1873

Livingstone(A.D. 1813–1873) David Livingstone was a Scottish physician, Christian missionary, abolitionist, and explorer in Africa. He disappeared during his e... more

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A.D. 1837–1899

Dwight L. MoodyDwight L. Moody (A.D. 1837–1899) The most prominent American Revivalist of the second half of the 19th century, influencing and influenced by the Ke... more

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A.D. 1842–1918

Hermann Cohen(A.D. 1842–1918) Hermann Cohen was a Jewish Philosopher in Germany who was a famous scholar on Kant and promoted a neo-Kantian philosophy. He believ... more

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A.D. 1843–1921

C. I. ScofieldC. I. Scofield (A.D. 1843–1921) Minister, Bible teacher, Dispensationalist theologian, and editor of the Scofield Reference Bible, whose 2nd edition... more

A.D. 1843–1921 Minister, Bible teacher, Dispensationalist theologian, and editor of the ScofieldC. I. Scofield (A.D. 1843–1921) Minister, Bible teacher, Dispensationalist theologian, and editor of the Scofield Reference Bible, whose 2nd edition... more Reference Bible(A.D. 1917) Publication of the second edition of the Scofield Reference Bible(A.D. 1917) Publication of the second edition of the Scofield Reference Bible, which becomes the most important text for the Dispensationalist movemen... more, which becomes the most important text for the Dispensationalist movemen... more, whose 2nd edition (1917) is the most influential book in the Dispensationalist movement. Please share if you found this post informative.

A.D. 1844–1900

Friedrich NietzscheFriedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900), declared that God is dead, and the intellectuals of his day had killed him. With the death of God, nihilism was bor... more

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A.D. 1858–1917

Emile DurkheimÉmile Durkheim (1858–1917) published The Elementary Forms of Religious Life in 1912. He found an influential ally in Sigmund Freud who incorpo... more

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A.D. 1860–1928

E. Y. MullinsE. Y. Mullins (A.D. 1860–1928) Southern Baptist pastor, professor, theologian, denominational leader, and advocate of “soul competency.” more

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A.D. 1861–1918

Walter Rauschenbusch(A.D. 1861–1918) Walter Rauschenbusch was a Baptist preacher and theologian in America and was a major figure in the Social Gospel movement in Ameri... more

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A.D. 1870–1922

William Seymour(A.D. 1870–1922) William Seymour was an African American preacher who studied under Charles Fox Parham, adopting Pentecostalism and the view that ... more

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A.D. 1873–1929

Charles FoxGeorge Fox (A.D. Jul 1624–13 Jan 1691) Founder of the Religious Society of Friends, more commonly known as Quakers. more Parham(A.D. 1873–1929) Charles Fox Parham was a preacher and evangelist in America and was a central figure in the development of Pentecostalism by associ... more

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A.D. 1878–1965

Martin Buber(A.D. 1878–1965) Martin Buber was a Jewish philosophy from Austria who built his ideas on the foundation of existentialist philosophy. He was also a... more

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A.D. 1878–1969

Harry Emerson Fosdick(A.D. 1878–1969) Harry Emerson Fosdick was an American Baptist minister who also worked interdenominationally. He was a major player in a schism bet... more

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A.D. 1880–1956

H. L. MenckenH. L. Mencken (A.D. 1880–1956) Controversial American journalist and critic renowned for his biting critiques of provincialism and prudery in Americ... more

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A.D. 1881–1937

J. Gresham Machen(A.D. 1881–1937) John Gresham Machen was a New Testament scholar in America, and he served as Professor of New Testament at Princeton Seminary betwe... more

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A.D. 1881–1937

Gresham Machen(A.D. 1881–1937) John Gresham Machen was a New Testament scholar in America, and he served as Professor of New Testament at Princeton Seminary betwe... more

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A.D. 1881–1963

John XXIII(A.D. 1881–1963) Born Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli, Italian priest, archbishop of Venice (A.D. 1953–1958), then pope (A.D. 1958–1963), who summoned ... more

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A.D. 1884–1976

Rudolf BultmannRudolf Bultmann (A.D. 1884-1976) German New Testament scholar, neo-Orthodox theologian, advocate of “demythologizing” the language of the New Test... more

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A.D. 1886–1965

Paul TillichPaul Tillich (A.D. 1886–1965) was a German Lutheran minister, neo Orthodox theologian, and Existentialist philosopher, who had an influential teachi... more

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A.D. 1886–1929

Franz Rosenzweig(A.D. 1886–1929) Franz Rosenzweig was a Jewish theologian and philosophy from Germany. He was critical of Martin Buber’s views, especially of Zion... more

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A.D. 1886–1968

Karl BarthKarl Barth (A.D. 1886-1968) Swiss Reformed pastor and professor, founding figure of Neo Orthodoxy and probably the most influential Protestant theolog... more

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A.D. 1887–1951

Simon Kimbangu(A.D. 1887–1951) Simon Kimbangu was a religious leader in the Congo. He established his own ministry featuring miraculous healings and even raising ... more

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A.D. 1889–1976

Martin HeideggerMartin Heidegger (A.D. 1889–1976) German philosopher whose early work, Being and Time (A.D. 1927), which owed a great deal to Kierkegaard’s analys... more

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A.D. 1889–1966

Emil BrunnerEmil Brunner (A.D. 1889–1966) Swiss Reformed pastor and theologian, advocate of a neo Orthodox theology of divine human encounter that requires a ... more

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A.D. 1890–1944

Aimee Semple McPherson(A.D. 1890–1944) Aimee Semple McPherson was a Pentecostal evangelist and media celebrity in the early 20th century. She pioneered the use of modern ... more

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A.D. 1896–1991

Henri de LubacHenri de Lubac (A.D. 1896–1991) French Jesuit theologian, patristic scholar, and leading critic of neo-Thomism. His views led to the church silencin... more

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20th CENTURY

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A.D. 1902–1967

Adrienne von SpeyrAdrienne von Speyr (A.D. 1902–1967) Swiss physician and Roman Catholic theologian whose visionary experiences were a major inspiration for the ... more

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A.D. 1904–1984

Karl RahnerKarl Rahner (A.D. 1904–1984) German Jesuit theologian, known especially for his concept of the “supernatural existential,” a major theological i... more

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A.D. 1904–1959

Joseph BabalolaJoseph Babalola (A.D. 1904–1959) was a leading figure in the Christ Apostolic Church in Nigeria, a Pentecostal church where Babalola led r... more

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A.D. 1904–1986

Tommy Douglas(A.D. 1904–1986) Tommy Douglas was a Baptist minister and prominent Canadian politician during the 20th century. He spearheaded the creation of the ... more

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A.D. 1905–1988

Hans Urs von BalthasarHans Urs von Balthasar (A.D. 1905-1988) Swiss priest and Jesuit theologian, friend of Henri de Lubac, Karl Barth, and Adrienne von Speyr, who was... more

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A.D. 1906–2002

Carl McIntire(A.D. 1906–2002) Carl McIntire was a Presbyterian fundamentalist and popular radio broadcaster during the 20th century, vociferously opposing the to... more

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A.D. 1906–1945

Dietrich BonhoefferDietrich Bonhoeffer (A.D. 1906–1945) was a German theologian and pastor who was best known for his opposition to Nazism and especially Hitler’s eu... more

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TIMELINE of All People

All People

John WycliffeJohn Wycliffe (Wyckuffe) (A.D. 1330–31 Dec 1384) is regarded as the first Christian Reformer. He was instrumental in translating the Bible into... more

Isabella(A.D. 1341–1504) Queen Isabella of Spain was married to Ferdinand II of Aragon and was renowned for her devotion to the Catholic Church. more

Gregory ChaucerGregory Chaucer (c. A.D. 1342–1400) wrote the influential The Canterbury Tales that tell the story of stock characters from the three different esta... more

Christine de Pisan(A.D. 1364–c. 1430) Christine de Pisan was a prominent medieval writer from Italy who was raised in the French court. She wrote poetry, ballads, epi... more

Jan HussJan Hus (A.D. 1369–6 July 1415), also known as Iohannes Hus and Johannes Huss was a Czech theologian, philosopher, scholar, and religious leader is ... more

15th CENTURY

Sir Thomas Malary(A.D. 1415–1471) The author of Le Morte d’Arthur, the most comprehensive treatment of the legend of King Arthur giving insights to medieval societ... more

William Caxton(c. A.D. 1422–1491) William Caxton is frequently considered to be the person who introduced the printing press into England. He set up his press in ... more

Alexander VI(A.D. 1 Jan 1431–8 Aug 1503) Born Roderic Borgia and became pope on August 11, 1492. Considered one of the most corrupt popes for nepotism and fathe... more

Girolamo Savonarola(A.D. 1452–1498) Girolamo Savonarola was a Dominican friar in Florence who fought against clerical corruption, tyrannical rule, and oppression of th... more

Giovanni Pico(A.D. 1463–1494) Giovanni Pico della Mirandola was an Italian philosopher during the Italian Renaissance. He famously drafted 900 theses on religion... more

Frederick the WiseFrederick III (A.D. 1463–1525) was an Elector from Saxony who famously protected Martin Luther from the Holy Roman Emperor, the Pope, and others. Al... more

Johann Tetzel(A.D. 1465–1519) Johann Tetzel was a German preacher, theologian, and inquisitor who became infamous for his unscrupulous practices in selling indul... more

Desiderius Erasmus(A.D. 28 Dec 1466–12 Jul 1536) Desiderius Erasmus Roterodamus is often referred to as the Prince of the Humanists. He was renowned as the greatest s... more

Paul III(A.D. 1468–1549) Paul III was Bishop of Rome and Pope from A.D. 1534 until his death in 1549. During his reign, the counterreformation flourished, a... more

Cardinal Cajetan(A.D. 1469–1534) Thomas Cajetan was an Italian philosopher and theologian who served as Cardinal from A.D. 1517 until his death. Cardinal Cajetan wa... more

Lorenzo de MediciLorenzo de Medici (A.D. 1469–1492) was an Italian banker and statesman in the Republic of Florence. He became the de facto ruler of Florence and use... more

Nicolaus CopernicusNicolaus Copernicus (A.D. 1473–1543) was a Polish Renaissance-era mathematician and astronomer who made an early contribution to the Scientific Revo... more

Leo X(A.D. 1475–1521) Leo X was Bishop of Rome and Pope from A.D. 1513 until his death in 1521. He was loose with papal finances and permitted the exchan... more

Clement VII(A.D. 1478–1534) Clement VII was Pope from A.D. 1523 until his death in 1534. Clement VII had the misfortune of being Pope during a highly contentio... more

Martin Luther(A.D. 1483–1546) German theologian, pastor, professor at the University of Wittenberg, ex-monk, and founding figure of Protestantism. He was known f... more

Ulrich ZwingliUlrich Zwingli (or Huldrych) (A.D. 1484–1531) Swiss pastor and theologian based in Zurich, a founding figure of the Reformed Protestant tradition, m... more

Catherine of Aragon(A.D. 1485–1536) Catherine of Aragon was the daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain. She married King Henry VIII of England but failed to produ... more

Hernan Cortes(A.D. 1485–1547) Hernan Cortes was a Spanish conquistador who toppled the Aztec Empire and conquered much of present-day Mexico for Spain. more

Johann Maier von Eck(A.D. 1486–1543) Johann Maier von Eck, also known as John Eck, was a Catholic German theologian. He was a theological opponent to Martin Luther and ... more

Andreas Karlstadt(A.D. 1486–1541) Andreas Karlstadt was a prominent German Protestant theologian. He was a close associate of Martin Luther but later parted from Lut... more

Thomas Cranmer(A.D. 1489–1556) Thomas Cranmer was instrumental in establishing the Church of England, supporting the principle of Royal Supremacy. He was critical... more

Karl von Miltitz(c. A.D. 1490–1529) Karl von Miltitz was a diplomat for the Pope, a papal nuncio, who sought to settle the indulgence controversy brought to a head ... more

Albert(A.D. 1490–1545) Albert of Brandenburn, the Archbishop of Mainz, was a central figure in the reformation. He abused the sale of indulgences to fund ... more of Brandenburn

Henry VIII(A.D. 26 Jun 1491–28 Jan 1547) Henry VIII became King of England in 1509. Initially he rejected the Protestant reformation movement and earned the t... more

King Gustavus Vasa(A.D. 1496–1560) Gustavus Vasa was King of Sweden from A.D. 1523 until his death in 1560. After a prolonged dispute with the Pope regarding the appo... more

Menno SimonsMenno Simons (A.D. 1496–1561) A former Catholic priest in Holland who became a leader in the Dutch and North German Anabaptist communities, which we... more

Philipp MelanchthonPhilipp Melanchthon (A.D. 1497–1560) German theologian, reformer, and professor at the University of Wittenberg, Martin Luther’s colleague and bes... more

Andreas OsianderAndreas Osiander (A.D. 1498–1552) Lutheran pastor, professor, and theologian, in whose doctrine of justification believers are united to the essenti... more

Sebastian FranckSebastian Franck (c. A.D. 1499–1542) Leading spiritualist theologian of the radical Reformation. more

Charles V(A.D. 1500–1558) Charles V ruled over an extensive Empire, including the Holy Roman Empire, the Kingdom of Spain and it’s American territories, th... more

Jakob Hutter(c. A.D. 1500–1536) Jakob Hutter was an Anabaptist from the Holy Roman Empire who went on to found the Hutterites, a present-day Anabaptist group wi... more

16th CENTURY

Anne Boleyn(c. A.D. 1501–1536) Anne Boleyn was the second wife of King Henry VIII. She refused to become his mistress, which caused him to increasingly fixate ... more

Duke of Alva(A.D. 1507–1582) The Duke of Alva was a Spanish noble and general who was appointed governor of the Spanish Netherlands. His heavy handed methods in... more

John CalvinJohn Calvin (A.D. 1509-1564) French Protestant theologian who lived most of his adult life in Geneva. He was the most influential figure in Refor... more

Michael ServetusMichael Servetus (c. A.D. 1511–1553) Anti trinitarian theologian, arrested and executed in Geneva on evidence Calvin presented. more

Michael BaiusMichael Baius (A.D. 1513-1589) Also called Michael du Bay, professor at the University of Louvain. The Vatican in 1567 condemned this Catholic theolog... more

John KnoxJohn Knox (A.D. 1513–24 Nov 1572) Scottish minister who introduced Calvinist Reformed Protestant movement to Scotland, which became the Presbyterian... more

Teresa of Avila(A.D. 1515–1582) Also known as Saint Teresa of Jesus; Spanish nun and mystical theologian known for her descriptions of the various levels of mystic... more

Mary TudorQueen Mary I (A.D. 1516–1558) was a Queen of England and Ireland, and daughter to King Henry VIII. During her reign, she violently sought to reverse... more

Thomas MüntzerThomas Müntzer (c. A.D. 1490–1525) A pastor and Luther’s former student who became a leader in the Peasant Revolt of 1525, claiming authority fro... more

Queen ElizabethQueen Elizabeth I (A.D. 1533–1603) was Queen of England and Ireland and inherited a realm wracked with religious strife caused by her father, King H... more

Luis de MolinaLuis de Molina (A.D. 1535–1600) Spanish Jesuit whose theology of free will was opposed by the Dominican Thomists represented in the Congregatio de A... more

Clement VIII(A.D. 1536–1605) Clement VIII was Bishop of Rome and Pope from A.D. 1592 until his death in 1605. He reconciled King Henry IV of France to Catholici... more

John of the Cross(A.D. 1542–1591) Spanish monk, mystical theologian, Roman Catholic saint, and friend of Theresa of Avila; known for his concept of the dark night of... more

Paul V(A.D. 1550–1621) Paul V was Bishop of Rome and Pope from A.D. 1605 until his death in 1621. Papal influence in European state affairs continued to d... more

Richard HookerRichard Hooker (c. A.D. 1554–1600) Anglican theologian, author of the multivolume treatise The Laws of Ecclesiastical Polity, which defended the Eli... more

Johann ArndtJohann Arndt (A.D. 1555-1621) German Lutheran pastor and author of True Christianity (A.D. 1606–1609), the most important precursor to the German Pi... more

Ignatius of Loyola(Died A.D. 31 Jul 1556) Ignatius of Loyola was a Spanish military officer who experienced a religious conversion while recovering from injuries. He fo... more

Jacobus ArminiusJacobus Arminius (c. A.D. 1560-1609) Dutch pastor and originator of the form of Protestant theology rejected by the Calvinists at the Synod of Dordt a... more

Francis BaconFrancis Bacon (A.D. 1561–1626) was an English philosopher and prominent statesman. He was later considered to have been the father of the scientific... more

Francis de SalesFrancis de Sales (A.D. 1567–1622) Roman Catholic bishop, French author of the highly influential devotional writings, Introduction to the Devout Lif... more

William Laud(A.D. 1573–1645) William Laud was an English scholar and Archbishop of Canterbury. He sought to impose uniformity throughout Anglicanism, which was ... more

Queen Nzinga(c. A.D. 1583–1663) Ana Nzinga was queen of the Mbundu people in modern day Angola. Queen Nzinga was adept in international politics, and she fought... more

Cornelius JansenCornelius Jansen (A.D. 1585–1638) Catholic bishop of Ypres in Belgium, and author of the posthumously published Augustinus (A.D. 1640), which argued... more

Anne HutchinsonAnne Hutchinson (A.D. 1591–1643) was a Puritan from the Massachusetts Bay Colony. She was a charismatic spiritual advisor whose strong views on the ... more

Rene DescartesRene Descartes (1596–1650) introduced the scientific method based on the premise that all learning is derived from inductive reasoning based on obse... more

AmyrautMoses Amyraut (A.D. 1596-1664) Also known by a Latinized version of his name, Amyraldus, was a French Protestant (a Huguenot) who advocated a modified... more

Oliver CromwellOliver Cromwell (A.D. 1599–1658) was an intensely religious Puritan and political leader of England. He fought for Parliament in the English Civil W... more

17th CENTURY

Athinasius KircherAthanasius Kircher (A.D. 1602–1680) was a German Jesuit scholar, often considered to be the last Renaissance Man, he was a dominant scientific ... more

Richard BaxterRichard Baxter (A.D. 1615-1691) English Puritan, advocate of Amyraldianism or “four point Calvinism.” more

John OwenJohn Owen (A.D. 1616–1683) English Puritan, classic advocate of the high Calvinism represented by the Synod of Dordt and the Westminster Confession,... more

George FoxGeorge Fox (A.D. Jul 1624–13 Jan 1691) Founder of the Religious Society of Friends, more commonly known as Quakers. more

Baruch SpinozaBaruch Spinoza (A.D. 1632–1677) was a Jewish-Dutch philosopher. Spinoza employed many of the concepts of Medieval scholastics with the Cartesian met... more

John LockeJohn Locke (1632–1704) applied the scientific method of using empirical observations to determine the strength of philosophical and theological idea... more

Philipp Jakob SpenerPhilip Jakob Spener (A.D. 1635–1705) German Lutheran pastor who became one of the founders of Pietism when, in 1675, he published Pia Desideria (“... more

Solomon StoddardSolomon Stoddard (A.D. 1643–1729) Puritan minister in Northampton, Massachusetts (and grandfather of Jonathan Edwards), who allowed unregenerate chu... more

Newton, Sir IsaacSir Isaac Newton (1643–1727) revolutionized society's understanding of how the physical world functioned with his scientific discoveries and by... more

Madame Jeanne GuyonMadame Jeanne Guyon (A.D. 1648–1717) Mystic, writer, and spiritual director, a major inspiration for the “semi Quietist” theology of Fénelon an... more

Francois FénelonFrancois Fénelon (A.D. 1651–1715) Archbishop of Cambrai in France, known for teachings about “pure love,” which Rome condemned as “semi Quiet... more

August Hermann FranckeAugust Hermann Francke (A.D. 1663–1727) German Lutheran pastor and theology professor at the University of Halle, protégé of Philipp Jakob Spener,... more