ABSTRACT
Luke Tyerman (1820–1889), a Wesleyan minister, published eight substantial volumes on the history of early Methodism, encompassing biographies of Samuel Wesley, John Wesley, George Whitefield, John Fletcher and others. This chapter shows how his writings were marked by his passion for collecting and transcribing a mass of unique original documents while disclaiming any interest in a ‘philosophy’ of interpretation. He aimed to present an unvarnished narrative, but his theological commitments were evidenced by his negative commentary on Calvinists, Anglican High Churchmen and Roman Catholics. Although an enthusiastic Wesleyan, he was also willing to criticise his hero John Wesley, which distressed some denominational reviews.
