George Marsden: 5 Recommended Biographies

George M. Marsden is Professor of History, Emeritus, at the University of Notre Dame.

Among other books, he is the author of the award-winning, definitive biography on Jonathan Edwards: A Life (Yale University Press, 2003).

Here is his list of recommended biographies, in alphabetical order of subject:

1. Peter Brown, Augustine of Hippo.

A classic work and a great exposition of the man and of his era.

2. Robert Caro, Master of the Senate: The Years of Lyndon Johnson.

Wonderful example of the art of great story telling.

3. Walter Lowrie, A Short Life of Kierkegaard.

Probably dated by now, but a great brief introduction to a most complex figure

4. James D. Bratt, Abraham Kuyper: Modern Calvinist, Christian Democrat.

New biography. Wonderfully balanced account about a multifaceted thinker and leader still important for today.

5. Richard Westfall, Never at Rest: A Biography of Isaac Newton.

Excellent at presenting Newton’s thought in the context of its times.