John Bunyan, born in 1628 and passing away in 1688, was an English writer and Puritan preacher best known for his work “The Pilgrim’s Progress,” one of English literature’s most famous religious allegories. Bunyan’s life was marked by religious fervour and persecution. He was born in Elstow, Bedfordshire, England, to a poor tinker (a mender of pots and pans). In his early twenties, he experienced a religious conversion and became a preacher in the Puritan tradition. However, his non-conformist beliefs imprisoned him several times for preaching without a license from the Church of England.
During one of these imprisonments, Bunyan wrote his most famous work, “The Pilgrim’s Progress.” The book, published in 1678, tells the allegorical story of Christian, a man on a journey from the City of Destruction to the Celestial City, symbolizing the believer’s journey through life to heaven. “The Pilgrim’s Progress” was a huge success and has been translated into numerous languages. It remains a classic of Christian literature and is considered one of the greatest works of religious fiction. Bunyan’s other works include spiritual autobiographies, sermons, and theological writings. Despite facing persecution and imprisonment, he continued to preach and write, leaving a lasting impact on English literature and religious thought.
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