Reformation

In contrast with persecution and social injustice, A.D. White and George Lincoln Burr also collected numerous materials on the Protestant Reformation and the famous Reformers, including Luther, Calvin, and Melanchthon. As mentioned in the letter from Burr to White, these original works, such as an edition of the Lutheran Bible shown here, were used to illustrate the lectures each gave on the Reformers.

Martin Luther. Biblia das ist die gantze Heilige Schrifft Deudsch. Wittenberg: Hans Lufft, 1534.

The Bible translated according to the Ebrew and Greeke. London: Christopher Barker, 1589.

This Bible, known as the Geneva Bible, preceded the King James version by 51 years and was the primary Bible of 16th century Protestantism. In addition to the Biblical texts, this Bible contains scriptural aids and maps and is believed to be the first ‘study bible’.

Martin Luther. Deudsch Catechismus. Wittenberg: Johan Schwertel, 1572.

Letter by Martin Luther, copied by a contemporary, circa 1522.

Index auctorum et libroru[m] qui ab Officio Sanctae Rom. et Vniversalis Inquisitionis caueri ab omnibus et singulis . . . Rome: Antonium Bladum, 1559.

This list of books and authors banned by the Catholic Church in 1559 contains many famous Reformers, including Martin Luther.

Portrait of Martin Luther.

Portrait of Philip Melanchthon.

Letter from G.L. Burr to A.D. White, November 2, 1883.

“The lectures have gone off smoothly. . . I even ventured at times to interpolate brief explanations, and of course illustrated the lecture with the original editions of the Reformers’ works.”