Thomas De Witt Talmage and Edward Bok Papers, 1881-1902 | Historical Collections

Thomas De Witt Talmage (1832–1902) was a preacher and clergyman in the Reformed and Presbyterian churches. Born in Somerset County, NJ, he was educated at the University of the City of New York and the  Reformed Dutch Theological Seminary in Brunswick, NJ. He was minister in Belleville, NJ; Syracuse, NY; and Philadelphia, PA; before arriving at Central Presbyterian Church in Brooklyn in 1869, where he spent most of his career. He also ministered for a year in Washington, DC. He was internationally renowned for his published sermons and lectures and their particular focus on social issues of the day.

Edward Bok (1863–1930) was an editor and Pulitzer Prize–winning author. After immigrating to Brooklyn at age six, his career in publishing included work with Henry Holt and Company, Scribner’s, Brooklyn Journal, Ladies Home Journal, as well as founding the Bok Syndicate Press. He won the Pulitzer Prize in 1921 for his autobiography.