Civil War Pulpit to World's Parliament of Religion

The Author: W. Creighton Peden is the Fuller E. Callaway Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Augusta College, The University System of Georgia, and is President of the Highlands Institute for American Religious Thought. He holds a B.A. from Davidson College, an M.A. from the University of Chicago, and a Ph.D. from St. Andrews University. Dr. Peden was the founding editor of the Journal of Social Philosophy and the American Journal of Theology & Philosophy. In addition to being the editor of twenty volumes and over 100 articles, he is the author of The Philosopher of Free Religion: Francis Ellingwood Abbot, 1836-1903 (Peter Lang, 1992); Weiman's Empirical Process Philosophy; The Chicago School: Voices of Liberal Religious Thought; and is the co-author with Charles Hartshorne of Whitehead's View of Reality.

"W. Creighton Peden has rendered a great service in ably presenting a compelling portrait of a clergyman whose brilliant prophetic career is all the more impressive considering the disturbing period in American history in which he lived and labored. It is an intriguing book whose timely relevance readers should find both informative and inspiring." (Frederick N. Nelson, Congregational (UCC) Clergyman, Retired)
"'In Civil War Pulpit', Dr. Peden continues his project of bringing to our attention the work of intellectual, religious and social leaders in the U.S. whose careers have been obscured. Dr. Peden introduces readers to the life and career of William James Potter in very lucid fashion. The text deals intelligently with the interplay between Potter's religious, philosophical, and social commitments; in particular he traces the influences of Potter's Quaker background and his encounters with Unitarianism and transcendentalism to his later work as a social and religious reformer. Peden highlights the actual differences that have been made by intellectuals who, like Potter, have maintained a serious interest in the conduct of life. Specifically, he focuses on Potter's work as a preacher and as a leader in the Free Religious Association. As was his previous volume on F.E. Abbot, Peden's 'Civil War Pulpit' is thoroughly researched and clearly and persuasively written. Anyone interested in intellectual, social, and religious history of the U.S. in the nineteenth century will want to have this book." (Douglas R. Anderson, Penn State University)