John Bunyan

John Bunyan, a 17th century English writer and Puritan preacher, wrote nearly sixty titles including the infamous Pilgrim's Progress. In his early years, Bunyan took on his fathers trade as a "tinker", repairing household utensils. While specific details of his youth are sparse, we do know he picked up his father's habit of swearing, suffered from nightmares, and enjoyed reading cheap books and pamphlets of the day called "chap-books". After briefly serving in the English military, Bunyan married. Tragedy struck in1658, when his wife died, leaving him with the responsibility of four children, one of whom was blind. Later, after completing a sermon, he was arrested, serving 12 years in prison for religious non conformity. John Bunyan, well acquainted with hardship, reflected on its value in the following quotes: "No man, without trials and temptations, can attain a true understanding of the Holy Scriptures."