John Raleigh Mott

John Raleigh Mott 1865-1955, American Protestant ecumenical leader, b. Livingston Manor, N.Y. While a student at Cornell Univ., Mott, a Methodist layman, became active in the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA). Upon graduation (1888), he joined its national staff and founded (1895) its World Student Christian Federation, serving (1895-1920) as its general secretary. Mott was an organizer of the World Misssionary Conference, in Edinburgh (1910), which launched the 20th-century ecumenical movement, and he is often considered the father of the World Council of Churches . A prolific author, he was also chairman of the International Missionary Council (1921-42), president of the World Alliance of YMCAs (1926-37), and held several other important posts in Christian groups. For his work in promoting international goodwill, understanding, and tolerance, Mott was awarded the 1946 Nobel Peace Prize, which he shared with Emily Greene Balch .

Bibliography: See biographies by B. J. Matthews (1934), G. M. Fisher (1952), R. C. Mackie et al. (1965), and C. H. Hopkins (1979).

Mott, John Raleigh (1865–1955). American Methodist layman and ecumenical pioneer. He was instrumental in convening the first International Missionary Conference at Edinburgh in 1910, devoting himself tirelessly to the ecumenical movement through the International Missionary Council, ‘Life and Work’, and the World Council of Churches, of which he became co-president in 1948.

Mott, John Raleigh (1865–1955), American Methodist. He became known for his zealous propaganda on behalf of missions, and he was chairman of the committee which called the first International Conference at Edinburgh in 1910. His interest in the Ecumenical Movement dated from this time. He took a prominent part in the ‘Faith and Order’ and ‘Life and Work’ Conferences, and also in the foundation of the World Council of Churches.