George Whitefield

Whitefield, George (1714–70). Calvinistic preacher and leader in the Evangelical Revival. Born in Gloucester, Whitefield was educated at Oxford, where he associated with the Wesley brothers. His skill as a communicator was at its best in his outdoor evangelistic preaching to vast crowds. His ardent Calvinism brought him into conflict with J. Wesley, but the two men retained their friendship, Wesley preaching the sermon at Whitefield's funeral. He visited America for extended preaching tours on seven different occasions, eventually dying there.

George Whitefield 1714-70, English evangelistic preacher, leader of the Calvinistic Methodist Church . At Oxford, which he entered in 1732, he joined the Methodist group led by John Wesley and Charles Wesley . Ordained (1736) a deacon in the Church of England, Whitefield soon demonstrated his power as a preacher. The first of his seven trips to America was made in 1738, when he spent a short time in Georgia in the mission post vacated by John Wesley. He returned to England to seek funds for an orphanage in Georgia and to take orders as an Anglican priest, but his connection with the Wesleys and the evangelical character of his preaching led to his exclusion from most of the pulpits of the Church of England. He then began a series of open-air meetings in Bristol and elsewhere, to which huge audiences were attracted. He persuaded John Wesley to carry on the work while he again visited (1739-41) America; there he was an influential figure in the Great Awakening , preaching to congregations in the large settlements from Georgia to New England.

About 1741 Whitefield adopted Calvinistic views, especially in regard to predestination. Breaking away from the Wesleys, he became the leader of the Calvinistic Methodists, whose greatest numbers were in Wales. However, Whitefield's personal friendship with John Wesley continued. In London his work was centered in the Moorfields Tabernacle, near Wesley's church. Returning to England after another evangelistic tour (1744-48) in America, he was appointed a chaplain in the Connexion, the Methodist association sponsored by the countess of Huntingdon . Whitefield's evangelistic tours in Great Britain and America continued to draw throngs; in 1756 the noted Tottenham Court Chapel, London, was opened for him. His last sermon was delivered in the open air at Exeter, Mass., the day before he died in Newburyport, where he is buried.

Bibliography: See his works (6 vol., 1771-72); biographies by L. Tyerman (2 vol., 1876), S. C. Henry (1957), and H. S. Stout (1991); studies by A. A. Dallimore (1970) and J. C. Pollock (1972).

Whitefield, George (1714–70), the popular evangelical preacher, came under the influence of John and Charles Wesley while at Oxford. He attracted much attention by his fervent and emotional sermons. His views diverged from those of the Wesleys, as he became increasingly Calvinistic. He became domestic chaplain to Lady Huntingdon and through her patronage opened a Tabernacle in Tottenham Court Road. Whitefield died near Boston on the last of several evangelical visits to America. His Journals were published in 7 parts, 1738–41, and Hymns for Social Worship in 1753.