James Aitken Wylie

James Aitken Wylie 1808-1890 was a Scottish historian of religion and Presbyterian minister. He was a prolific writer and is most famous for writing "The History of Protestantism."

Wylie was born in Kirriemuir, Scotland and his father, James Aitken was a Auld Licht Anti-burgher minister in the Original Secession Church. Wylie was educated at Marischal College, University of Aberdeen where he stayed for three years before studying at St. Andrews under Thomas Chalmers. He followed his father's example, entering the Original Secession Divinity Hall, Edinburgh in 1827, and was ordained in 1831.

He became sub-editor of the Edinburgh "Witness" in 1846. "My tongue is the pen of a ready writer" (Psalm 45:1). In 1852, after joining the Free Church of Scotland, Wylie edited their "Free Church Record" until 1860.

He published his book "The Papacy: its History, Dogmas, Genius, and Prospects" in 1851, winning a prize of a hundred guineas from the Evangelical Alliance. The Protestant Institute appointed him Lecturer on Popery in 1860. He continued in this role until his death in 1890, publishing in 1888 his work "The Papacy is the Antichrist".

Aberdeen University awarded him an honorary doctorate (LL.D.) in 1856.

J. A. Wylie's classic, The History of Protestantism went out of print in the 1920's, though it was briefly reprinted in Northern Ireland in a two-volume reproduction in the late 20th century. It has received praise from a number of influential figures, including Ian Paisley and Jack Chick.

The History of Protestantism was reprinted by Hartland Publications, Rapidan, Virginia in 2002 in four-volumes. ISBN 0-923309-80-2.

References

* Wylie, James Aitken. "History of the Waldenses", (c.1860) ISBN 1572581859, [http://www.reformedreader.org/history/wylie/toc.htm online ebook]
* Wylie, James Aitken. "Rome and civil liberty: or, The papal aggression in its relation to the sovereignty of the Queen and the independence of the nation", (1865), [http://www.archive.org/details/romeandcivillibe00wyliuoft online ebook]

*Wylie, James Aitken. "The Awakening of Italy and the Crisis of Rome." Religious Tract Society: London, (1866.) Octavo.
*Wylie, James Aitken. "A Popish University for Ireland. The Irish Chief Secretary and the working classes." (1889). pp. 8. 22 cm.
*Wylie, James Aitken. Character-its paramount influence on the happiness of individuals, and the destinies of society. In : Course. A Course of Lectures to young men ... delivered in Glasgow ... Second Series. Lect. 4. 1842. 12º.
*Wylie, James Aitken. "The Papacy: Its History, Dogmas, Genius, and Prospects" — which was awarded a prize by the Evangelical Alliance in 1851.
* Wylie, James Aitken. "The rise, progress, and insidious workings of Jesuitism", (1877), [http://books.google.com/books?id=q-ECAAAAQAAJ&pgis=1 online ebook]
*Wylie, James Aitken. "The History of Protestantism" (1878). 3 vol. Cassell & Co.: London, 1899. Physical description: 8º. Shelfmark at British Library: 4650.g.2., [http://www.doctrine.org/history/ online ebook]

Additional titles are listed at the British Library catalogue at http://catalogue.bl.uk

External links

* [http://www.tracts.ukgo.com/james_wylie.htm James A. Wylie: bio and books]