John Henry Newman and His Age

“In John Henry Newman and His Age, Owen Cummings provides us with a fine and lucid account of the complex framework of nineteenth-century European social, political, and ecclesiastical changes and challenges. With this aid we are better able to understand Newman and the key figures, friends and opponents, who influence him and who he in turn influences. This helps clarify the momentous decisions he came to and the key relationships which helped forge his complex, and in Cummings’ telling, attractive character. The author is generous in his citing of the full range of Newman biographers and commentators. The sheer range and depth of their comments enables Cummings to reveal just why Newman remains so fascinating to those who come after him.”

—David B. McLoughlin, Department of Theology, Newman University



“This is the ideal introduction to a great man, a deep thinker, and a saint. It not only brings the life and times of Newman alive, and communicates clearly something of his wisdom, it also makes fascinating connections with our world and the church today.”

—David F. Ford, Regius Professor of Divinity Emeritus, University of Cambridge



“There are certain men whose life and thought reward our revisiting, but first familiarity can dull the senses. This masterful study by Owen Cummings refreshes our appreciation of Newman through commanding control of hundreds of bibliographies and historical studies. It describes the thicket in which to find the rabbit now camouflaged by hasty expectations. Cummings introduces the novice to Newman, and those already acquainted with Newman to the context of his remarkable life.”

—David W. Fagerberg, Professor, University of Notre Dame