Sheldon, Charles M., 1857-1946

Dr. Sheldon was the author of several religious books, the most well-known being "In His Steps". (See Kansas Collection card catalog for his works available in this library.)

From the guide to the Letters, 1899-1900, (University of Kansas Kenneth Spencer Research Library Kansas Collection)

Charles Monroe Sheldon was born February 26, 1857 in Wellsville, New York. His father was a Congregational minister so the family moved five times before settling in South Dakota. Sheldon attended Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts and then Brown University graduating in 1883. In 1886 he graduated from Andover Theological Seminary and was called to the Congregational Church in Waterbury, Vermont. In the green mountain state he earned a reputation for his liberal views and his innovative and unorthodox pastoral style. While in Waterbury, Charles met Mary "May" Merriam who was the granddaughter of a parishioner visiting from Topeka, (Shawnee County) Kansas. Because May's parents were founding members of Central Congregational Church in Topeka, Kansas, Charles was called to preach there in 1888. Charles and May were married in 1891 and had one son, Merriam Ward Sheldon born in 1897. Charles had survived the years in Andover and Providence by writing and selling articles. He used that skill again at Central Church when he noticed attendance at Sunday evening prayer meetings was low. He wrote a series of sermon stories and would read an episode each Sunday evening. Each story left the audience with a cliff hanger such that they would return the following week. From these Sunday evening stories came "In His Steps", or "What Would Jesus Do?" The story told reflected the growing social Gospel movement in the United States in the 1890's that questioned the morality of business leaders in modern, industrialized society. Sheldon offered a simple solution to business leaders by asking them (as Reverend Maxwell asked his parishioners in "In His Steps") to conduct their business as Jesus would. Readers in both the United States and Europe became enthralled with this story and the book quickly became an international best seller. However, Sheldon made very little money from the book due to improper copyright protection. Word of this leaked to other publishers who soon published their own versions of "In His Steps" without paying royalties to Sheldon. He was cheated out of a fortune. Charles tried not to be bitter and considered himself lucky that his message had touched so many people.

From the description of Charles M. Sheldon papers, 1887-1967. (Kansas State Historical Society). WorldCat record id: 53047231

Charles Monroe Sheldon, clergyman, editor, and author. Born in Wellsville, New York. (A.B.). Brown University, graduated Andover Theological Seminary (1896), D.D. Temple College (1898), Washburn College (1900), and Brown (1923). Pastor in Waterbury, Vt., 1886-1888, and the Central Congregational Church in Topeka, Kansas, 1889-1912. Minister-at-large, 1912-1915, and active again, 1915-1919. Editor-in-chief of the Christian herald in New York, 1920-1925, and contributing editor since 1925. He was the author of 42 books on religious subjects, among them In his steps (1923).

Lilla Day Moore Monroe. Born Lilla Day Moore on November 11, 1858, in Mooresburg, Ind. Married Lee Monroe in 1885 in WaKeeney, Kan., and began reading the law with Judge Slack in Indiana. Continued with her husband after her marriage and admitted to the local bar in 1894 and then to practice before the Kansas Supreme Court in 1895.

From the description of Letters to Publisher of the Independent, Mr. Monroe, and Mrs. Lilla Day Monroe, 1897 November 18, 1907 January 6, 1907 January 14, 1924 May 22. (University of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 61287907