John Wesley

Founder of Methodism & English Reformer

Although John Wesley is largely remembered as being the founder of the Methodist movement, which was a highly successful evangelical movement within the UK, his effect on Great Britain went far beyond evangelism.  His legacy includes the following:

• contributing to the liberation of women and the beginnings of workers' rights and safety in the workplace
• he attacked slavery before the reformer William Wilberforce was born
• fought for civil and religious freedom
• brought awareness of the evils of exploiting the poor
• opened a medical dispensary
• opened a bookstore
• opened a free school
• opened a shelter for widows
• set up spinning and knitting shops
• studied medicine in order to help the destitute

In addition, some historians believe that the renewal movement led by John Wesley and his brother, Charles, prevented something similar to the French Revolution taking place in England.