John Esslemont

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John Ebenezer Esslemont (1874-1925), was a prominent British Bahá'í from Scotland. He was the author of the well-known introductory book on the Bahá'í Faith, Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era, which is still in circulation. He was named posthumously by Shoghi Effendi a Hand of the Cause, and as one of the Disciples of `Abdu'l-Bahá.

Contents 1 Background 2 Publications 3 References 4 External links

[edit] Background

John Esslemont was born in Aberdeen on 19 May 1874, the third son and fourth child of John E. Esslemont (1859-1927), a successful merchant, and Margaret Esslemont (née Davidson). He came from an eminent family and was educated at Ferryhill School, Robert Gordon College, and the University of Aberdeen. He graduated in medicine in 1898 with honorable distinction. Unfortunately, Esslemont had contracted tuberculosis during his college days and this caused him to give up his promising career in medical research. He spent some time in Australia and South Africa and married Jean Fraser, his sister's piano teacher, to whom he was drawn by their mutual interest in music.

[edit] Publications

• Esslemont, J.E. (1980). Bahá'u'lláh and the New Era, 5th ed., Wilmette, Illinois, USA: Bahá'í Publishing Trust. ISBN 0-87743-160-4. 

Esselmont's Baha'u'llah and the New Era has been translated into numerous languages. A key, complementary introduction to the Bahá'í Faith, Shoghi Effendi, Guardian of the Bahá'ís encouraged its translation, publication and distribution.

[edit] References

• Effendi, Shoghi (1944). God Passes By. Wilmette, Illinois, USA: Bahá'í Publishing Trust. ISBN 0-87743-020-9. 

• Harper, Barron (1997). Lights of Fortitude, Paperback, Oxford, UK: George Ronald. ISBN 0-85398-413-1. 

[edit] External links

• Biography - by Moojan Momen

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