Renowned Christians who Shaped the World
Isaac Newton (1643–1727) – English physicist and mathematician
What They Are Famous For
One of history’s greatest scientists, Newton formulated the laws of motion and universal gravitation, laying the groundwork for classical mechanics. He also pioneered calculus and made breakthroughs in optics. His Principia revolutionized physics, making Newton “widely regarded as the greatest scientist of all time.”
Their Faith and Beliefs
Newton was profoundly religious and actually spent more time studying Scripture and theology than science. He viewed his scientific discoveries as revealing God’s design: “This most beautiful system of the sun, planets, and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being,” he wrote. Newton believed in a lawful, rational Creator, writing that “Gravity explains the motions of the planets, but it cannot explain who sets the planets in motion”. He pored over biblical prophecy and said, “I have a fundamental belief in the Bible as the Word of God”. In all his brilliance, Newton humbly affirmed God’s sovereignty over creation.
Galileo Galilei (1564–1642) – Italian astronomer, physicist and engineer
What They Are Famous For
Called the “father of observational astronomy,” Galileo pioneered the use of the telescope and provided evidence for heliocentrism. He discovered Jupiter’s moons, the phases of Venus, and much more, helping launch the scientific revolution even as his findings challenged established doctrine.
Their Faith and Beliefs
Galileo remained a devout Catholic who saw no conflict between science and faith. He insisted that scripture and nature both come from God and declared, “I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with senses, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use.” He thanked God for revealing the heavens’ wonders to him and famously wrote that the Holy Bible teaches “how one goes to heaven, not how the heavens go”, affirming that honest scientific inquiry honors the Creator.
Louis Pasteur (1822–1895) – French chemist and microbiologist
What They Are Famous For
Pasteur was one of the founders of microbiology and modern medicine. He developed the germ theory of disease and invented pasteurization to prevent food spoilage. Pasteur created vaccines for anthrax and rabies, transforming public health. His breakthroughs in chemistry, medicine and industry (saving the wine, beer and silk trades) are nearly unparalleled in impact.
Their Faith and Beliefs
Pasteur was a devout Catholic whose faith infused his scientific outlook. He famously said, “The more I study nature, the more I stand amazed at the work of the Creator. I pray while I am engaged at my work in the laboratory.” In his view, “science brings men nearer to God.” Pasteur saw his laboratory as a “temple of the future” and his research as thinking God’s thoughts after Him. He rejected materialism and believed his discoveries were uncovering God’s designs in nature. In fact, he once remarked that a bit of science might distance one from God, “but a lot of science brings you back.” Pasteur’s life’s work was driven by reverence for the Creator.
Nicolaus Copernicus (1473–1543) – Polish astronomer and church canon
What They Are Famous For
Nicolaus Copernicus proposed the heliocentric model of the solar system, arguing that the earth and other planets orbit the sun. His major work, On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres, helped trigger a profound shift in astronomy and laid groundwork for later scientists like Kepler and Galileo.
Their Faith and Beliefs
Copernicus was a canon in the Catholic Church who combined clerical duties with astronomical study. He saw his work as part of a broader calling to understand the order God placed in the heavens. In the preface to his great work, he dedicated it to Pope Paul III, asking for protection and situating his theory within a Christian intellectual world. Copernicus believed that mathematical elegance and harmony in the cosmos reflected the wisdom of the Creator. Though his model would later provoke controversy, his own life shows a scholar-priest seeking to honor God by tracing the paths of the stars that God had made.
Florence Nightingale (1820–1910) – Founder of modern nursing
What They Are Famous For
Florence Nightingale was a pioneering nurse, statistician, and social reformer. Her work caring for soldiers during the Crimean War and her reforms in hospital sanitation radically reduced mortality. She helped establish nursing as a respected profession and used data and statistics to drive public health changes.
Their Faith and Beliefs
Nightingale’s lifelong sense of calling was rooted in her Christian faith. As a young woman she felt God calling her to service, writing of a “call to God” that shaped all her decisions. She believed nursing was a vocation from God to care for the suffering with compassion and excellence. Nightingale studied theology and wrestled honestly with questions of suffering and providence, yet remained convinced of God’s goodness and the duty to serve. Her disciplined life of prayer and Scripture reading fueled tireless work for the poor, the sick, and the marginalized. She saw every patient as bearing God’s image, and she lived as if hospital wards were a place to meet Christ in the least of these.
Max Planck (1858–1947) – German theoretical physicist
What They Are Famous For
Planck originated quantum theory, revolutionizing physics in the 20th century. In 1900 he discovered that energy is emitted in discrete “quanta,” a breakthrough that earned him the 1918 Nobel Prize in Physics. Planck’s work opened the door to quantum mechanics and modern physics, making him one of the most important physicists in history.
Their Faith and Beliefs
Planck was a sincerely religious man who saw harmony between faith and science. A lifelong Lutheran, he wrote that “There can never be any real opposition between religion and science; for the one is the complement of the other.” He believed both realms require belief in God. Planck often spoke of God as the supreme rational Mind behind the cosmos. He noted that “the greatest thinkers of all ages were deeply religious souls.” Despite living through personal tragedies and two World Wars, Planck’s faith in God’s order and goodness remained firm. He viewed scientific truth as coming from God, famously asserting that science leads one “to a belief in God.”
Michael Faraday (1791–1867) – English physicist and chemist
What They Are Famous For
A pioneer of electromagnetism, Faraday discovered electromagnetic induction and the laws of electrolysis. Largely self-taught, he built the first electric motor and generator, laying the foundation for modern electrical engineering. His experiments with electricity and chemistry made him one of the most influential experimental scientists ever.
Their Faith and Beliefs
Faraday was a devout Christian (a member of the Sandemanian church) who found “no conflict between his religious beliefs and his activities as a scientist”. He viewed studying nature as reading “the book of nature” to discern God’s laws. He served as an elder in his church and was known for his humble, prayerful spirit. When asked about the afterlife, Faraday answered confidently: “Speculations? I have none. I am resting on certainties. I know whom I have believed…” (quoting 2 Timothy 1:12). As he faced death he said, “I shall be with Christ, and that is enough.” Faraday’s faith was the light guiding his remarkable scientific work.
Blaise Pascal (1623–1662) – French mathematician, physicist, inventor, philosopher
What They Are Famous For
A child prodigy turned polymath, Pascal made landmark contributions to mathematics (projective geometry, probability theory) and physics (Pascal’s law of pressure). He invented an early mechanical calculator and helped lay the foundation for modern hydraulics and computing. His intellectual brilliance spanned geometry, fluid mechanics, and philosophy.
Their Faith and Beliefs
After a profound religious experience in 1654, Pascal devoted himself to Christian faith and theology. In his Pensées he defended Christianity and argued that human reason must be completed by faith. “It is the heart which experiences God, and not the reason,” he wrote, emphasizing that mere rationality cannot grasp God fully. He formulated the famous “Pascal’s Wager” urging belief in God. Pascal’s life of prayer and piety (he even sewed a memorial of his mystical vision into his coat) testified to his conviction that “the heart has its reasons which reason knows nothing of.” His genius and faith were in harmony.
Gregor Mendel (1822–1884) – Czech/Austrian scientist and monk
What They Are Famous For
Mendel is known as the “father of genetics.” An Augustinian monk by vocation, he conducted years of pea-plant breeding experiments in his monastery garden, discovering the basic laws of inheritance (segregation and independent assortment). His 1866 paper founded modern genetics, though its significance was only recognized after his death.
Their Faith and Beliefs
As an Augustinian friar (later abbot), Mendel’s scientific work was an expression of his faith. He “whole-heartedly assented to his vows” and was “deeply rooted in his Christian faith,” even preaching and sharing his belief at every occasion. Far from seeing any conflict, Mendel saw his experiments as uncovering the orderly laws established by the Creator. He remained devout throughout his life, known as a “faithful Christian, a good priest, and a noble human being,” as one obituary summed up. Mendel even said Mass in between tending his pea plants. His legacy shows that patient science and sincere faith can flourish together, each enriching the other.
James Clerk Maxwell (1831–1879) – Scottish physicist and mathematician
What They Are Famous For
Maxwell formulated the classical theory of electromagnetism, uniting electricity, magnetism and light in his famous Maxwell’s equations. His work paved the way for modern physics (relativity and quantum theory) and he is considered one of the 19th century’s greatest scientists. Maxwell also made fundamental contributions to statistical physics and color photography.
Their Faith and Beliefs
A devout Christian, Maxwell saw scientific work as a mission to understand God’s creation. He was the first Cavendish Professor of Physics at Cambridge and chose to inscribe Psalm 111:2 over the lab door: “Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who delight in them.” He prayed before experiments, writing: “Almighty God, who created man in Thine own image… teach us to study the works of Thy hands… and strengthen our reason for Thy service.” Maxwell also echoed his faith in letters, stating “I have looked into most philosophical systems and... none will work without a God.” Profoundly humble, he sought “to glorify God in all the discoveries I make,” uniting a life of prayer with groundbreaking science.
George Washington Carver (c.1864–1943) – American agricultural scientist and inventor
What They Are Famous For
Born into slavery, Carver became a renowned botanist and educator. At Tuskegee Institute he revolutionized Southern agriculture by promoting crop rotation and developing hundreds of uses for peanuts, sweet potatoes and soybeans, which helped rescue the South’s economy. He was celebrated for his innovative inventions (from peanut milk to dyes and plastics) and environmental stewardship.
Their Faith and Beliefs
A man of profound Christian faith, Carver saw God as the true source of his scientific creativity. He often rose before dawn to pray in his laboratory, asking the Creator to reveal the secrets of plants. “Without God to draw aside the curtain, I would be helpless,” he said. When asked how he discovered so many uses for the peanut, Carver responded, “The Bible does not tell about peanuts. But it tells about the God who made the peanut. I asked Him to show me what to do with the peanut, and He did.” He taught Sunday school, sang hymns while working, and lived humbly. Carver’s guiding motto was that his purpose was “to be of the greatest good to my fellow men, through the power of God.”
Francis Collins (born 1950) – American geneticist and physician
What They Are Famous For
Francis Collins led the Human Genome Project, which successfully mapped human DNA, and later served as director of the U.S. National Institutes of Health. A physician-geneticist, he helped identify genes involved in diseases and became one of the world’s most influential figures in biomedical research.
Their Faith and Beliefs
Collins was once an atheist, but encounters with suffering patients and classic Christian writings led him to faith. Reading C.S. Lewis helped him see that belief in God could be intellectually robust. He became a committed Christian and wrote The Language of God, arguing that scientific discovery and faith in Christ are deeply compatible. Collins sees DNA as “the language in which God has written life” and rejects the idea that science and faith must be at war. He advocates a view called “BioLogos,” affirming both evolutionary science and God as Creator. Prayer, Scripture, and worship sit alongside lab work in his life, as he seeks to serve both science and the Lord.
Johannes Kepler (1571–1630) – German astronomer and mathematician
What They Are Famous For
A key figure in the scientific revolution, Kepler formulated the three laws of planetary motion, demonstrating that planets orbit the sun in ellipses. He defended Copernicus’ heliocentric theory and laid foundations for celestial mechanics. His rigorous calculations and scientific vision established him as a father of modern astronomy.
Their Faith and Beliefs
Kepler was a deeply Christian scholar who saw his work as uncovering God’s design in creation. An “unorthodox” Lutheran with a love for Scripture, he believed his astronomical insights were “thinking God’s thoughts after Him.” He frequently praised God in his writings, once praying, “I thank Thee, Lord God our Creator… that Thou hast allowed me to see the beauty in Thy works”. He reconciled heliocentric science with the Bible and famously stated, “I have looked into most philosophical systems, and I have seen that none will work without a God.” His faith fueled his scientific zeal.
Robert Boyle (1627–1691) – Irish chemist and physicist
What They Are Famous For
Robert Boyle is often called the “father of modern chemistry.” He is best known for Boyle’s law describing the relationship between pressure and volume of gases. A key figure in the early Royal Society, he championed experimental method over speculation and helped lay the foundations of modern scientific practice.
Their Faith and Beliefs
Boyle was a deeply devout Protestant Christian who saw scientific investigation as a way of worshiping the Creator. He funded Bible translation and missionary work and wrote The Christian Virtuoso, arguing that a true natural philosopher (scientist) should also be a sincere Christian. Boyle believed the orderly laws discovered in nature reflected the wisdom and faithfulness of God. He saw no conflict between rigorous experiment and humble reverence, often using scientific insights as a springboard for praise. His will included funds to support public lectures defending the Christian faith. For Boyle, the laboratory and the prayer closet were two sides of the same devotion to the God who made all things.
William Thomson, Lord Kelvin (1824–1907) – Scottish physicist and engineer
What They Are Famous For
Lord Kelvin was a leading physicist and engineer who helped formulate the laws of thermodynamics and introduced the absolute temperature scale that bears his name. He contributed to telegraphy, electricity, and navigation, and played a major role in laying the first successful transatlantic telegraph cable.
Their Faith and Beliefs
Kelvin was a convinced Christian who frequently spoke about design and purpose in nature. He rejected materialism and argued that the order and intelligibility of the universe point to a wise Creator. In public lectures he expressed confidence that scientific discovery strengthens, rather than weakens, belief in God. Kelvin saw physics as uncovering the patterns God built into creation. He believed that careful reasoning could lead to recognition of a divine Mind behind the cosmos. While immersed in complex mathematics and engineering, he remained a man of prayer and Scripture who regarded his gifts and achievements as entrusted by God and accountable to Him.
John Polkinghorne (1930–2021) – English physicist and Anglican priest
What They Are Famous For
John Polkinghorne was a theoretical physicist who contributed to the development of quark theory and taught at Cambridge. Later, he surprised many by leaving his chair in physics to train for Anglican ministry. He became a key thinker at the intersection of modern physics, philosophy, and theology.
Their Faith and Beliefs
Polkinghorne was a committed Christian who believed that the same God who created the universe also revealed Himself in Christ. After ordination, he wrote extensively on science and theology, arguing that both disciplines seek truth using different but complementary methods. He maintained that a rational, ordered universe is best explained by a rational Creator. For Polkinghorne, doctrines such as creation, providence, and resurrection could be thoughtfully engaged in light of contemporary physics. He rejected both simplistic atheism and anti-scientific faith, instead calling for “critical realism” in both science and theology. His life embodied the conviction that deep scientific work and deep Christian discipleship belong together.
Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) – Italian polymath, painter and inventor
What They Are Famous For
Leonardo was a Renaissance genius whose work spanned painting, anatomy, engineering, and invention. He created some of the most famous artworks in history, including The Last Supper and Mona Lisa, and filled notebooks with sketches of flying machines, anatomy studies, and scientific observations that were centuries ahead of their time.
Their Faith and Beliefs
Leonardo lived and worked inside a deeply Christian, Catholic world, and much of his greatest art was explicitly biblical or devotional: The Last Supper, numerous Madonnas, and scenes from Christ’s life. He accepted commissions for churches and monasteries and worked under clergy patrons, painting the central mysteries of Christian faith. While his private notebooks show a scientific, questioning mind rather than formal theological writing, they still reflect a sense of order, design, and wonder at creation. Leonardo approached the human body as God’s masterpiece, trying to understand its geometry and harmony. His religious paintings reveal a serious, thoughtful engagement with Christ, the apostles, and Mary—as if his artistic vocation was, in part, to help people see the Gospel stories with fresh eyes.
Michelangelo Buonarroti (1475–1564) – Italian sculptor, painter and architect
What They Are Famous For
Michelangelo was a towering figure of the High Renaissance. He sculpted iconic works like David and the Pietà, painted the Sistine Chapel ceiling and The Last Judgment, and designed parts of St. Peter’s Basilica. His powerful figures and dramatic compositions shaped Western art for centuries.
Their Faith and Beliefs
Michelangelo’s life and work were deeply intertwined with his Catholic faith. Almost all his greatest commissions were for churches or the papacy, and his art is saturated with Scripture—from the Creation and Fall scenes on the Sistine ceiling to the terrifying and hopeful vision of The Last Judgment. Late in life Michelangelo wrote spiritual poems wrestling with sin, repentance, and grace, admitting that worldly glory could not save him and that his hope was in Christ’s mercy. He saw the human body as bearing God’s image and believed sculpture was “freeing” the form God had already placed in the stone. Even as he struggled with doubt, weariness, and church politics, his devotional drawings and sonnets show a man turning toward God, seeking forgiveness, and viewing his artistic genius as something entrusted to him by the Creator.
Rembrandt van Rijn (1606–1669) – Dutch painter and etcher
What They Are Famous For
Rembrandt was a master of the Dutch Golden Age, renowned for his portraits, self-portraits, and biblical scenes. His use of light and shadow, psychological depth, and human realism in works like The Night Watch and The Return of the Prodigal Son changed the course of Western painting.
Their Faith and Beliefs
Rembrandt lived in a Protestant Dutch context shaped by Scripture, and he returned to biblical subjects again and again. Rather than idealized saints, he painted ordinary, weathered faces into Gospel stories—Christ calling disciples, healing the sick, calming storms. This reflected a Christian vision of grace for real, flawed people. He owned and studied Dutch Bibles and theological prints, and his work shows a profound empathy for the suffering of Christ and the brokenness of humanity. In The Return of the Prodigal Son, for example, the father’s embrace and the son’s torn clothes embody Jesus’ parable of forgiveness with breathtaking tenderness. Through light falling on the undeserving, Rembrandt visualized the heart of the Gospel: a God who meets people in darkness and covers them with mercy.
Ludwig van Beethoven (1770–1827) – German composer and pianist
What They Are Famous For
Beethoven was a towering figure in Western music who bridged the Classical and Romantic eras. Despite progressive hearing loss, he composed 9 monumental symphonies, 32 piano sonatas, string quartets and the opera Fidelio. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest composers of all time, known for his emotional depth and innovations that forever changed music.
Their Faith and Beliefs
Beethoven’s spiritual beliefs were unconventional but sincere – he believed profoundly in God as the source of his artistic inspiration. He rejected formal religion’s constraints yet kept a prayer journal and admired Christ’s teachings. In a letter, Beethoven declared, “God is nearer to me than to others in my art, I walk fearlessly with Him.” He often signed letters “With the help of God” and dedicated his Missa Solemnis “from the heart – may it go to the Heart (of God).” In his famous Heiligenstadt Testament (1802) Beethoven spoke of finding refuge in God when despair tempted him. In later life, totally deaf, he confessed, “I haven’t a friend, I must live alone, but I know that God is closer to me than anyone.” His ultimate hope, he wrote, was to meet his Creator in a better life where he could hear again.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756–1791) – Austrian composer
What They Are Famous For
Mozart was a prodigy and one of the most prolific and influential composers of the Classical era. In just 35 years, he composed over 600 works across every genre – operas (The Magic Flute, The Marriage of Figaro), symphonies, concertos, chamber music and sacred pieces (like his famous Requiem). His genius for melody and form makes him one of history’s most beloved composers.
Their Faith and Beliefs
Mozart was raised Roman Catholic and maintained a simple, steadfast faith throughout his life. In letters he often affirmed his trust in God’s providence. “I live, with God ever before me. I recognize His omnipotence…I trust He will never desert those who serve Him,” he wrote to his anxious father. He prayed frequently – for example, when his ill father recovered, Mozart wrote, “Thank God!” and attributed it to divine mercy. He composed a great deal of church music (masses, vespers) and once said “God is ever before my eyes.” Though he enjoyed worldly success and struggled with finances and health, Mozart accepted his trials with the faith that “all is well if it is in accordance with the will of God… nothing can go wrong”.
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) – German composer and organist
What They Are Famous For
Bach was a Baroque composer widely regarded as one of the greatest composers in Western music. A virtuoso organist, he wrote over 1,000 works, including the Brandenburg Concertos, Goldberg Variations, and monumental sacred pieces like the St. Matthew Passion and Mass in B minor. His mastery of counterpoint defined Baroque music.
Their Faith and Beliefs
Bach was a devout Lutheran who explicitly dedicated his music to God’s glory. On most of his manuscripts he inscribed “S.D.G.” (Soli Deo Gloria) – “To God alone be the glory”. He saw music as an act of worship and wrote, “The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.”. His staunch faith shaped his life and art: Bach composed numerous cantatas and passions that proclaim the Gospel in music. He even stated that music’s true purpose was to praise God and uplift souls. Throughout his career (from organ loft to court), Bach viewed himself as serving God, with every note offered “to the Glory of God Alone.”
Aretha Franklin (1942–2018) – American singer and songwriter
What They Are Famous For
Titled the “Queen of Soul,” Aretha was one of the greatest vocalists in music history. She blended gospel roots with R&B, soul, and pop to deliver iconic hits like “Respect,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” and “Chain of Fools.” A 18-time Grammy winner, she was the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Their Faith and Beliefs
Aretha Franklin’s powerhouse voice was nurtured in the church, and her faith remained a constant anchor. The daughter of a Baptist preacher, she started singing gospel in her father’s choir and never left those roots behind – “Gospel goes with me wherever I go. Gospel is a constant with me,” she said. Throughout her life Aretha kept a Bible nearby and often credited God for her talent and success. “My faith always has been and always will be important to me,” she affirmed. In 1972 she returned to gospel music with her landmark album Amazing Grace, declaring that giving glory to God was her greatest joy. On stage and off, Aretha prayed deeply and sang with spirit, believing as she put it that “Being a singer is a gift from God” and her mission was to share that gift to uplift others.
Bono (Paul Hewson) (born 1960) – Irish singer-songwriter and activist
What They Are Famous For
Bono is the lead vocalist and lyricist of U2, one of the world’s most successful rock bands (albums include The Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby). Renowned for anthems like “With or Without You” and “One,” he’s also a global humanitarian, campaigning against poverty and AIDS. U2’s music often blends social conscience with spiritual themes.
Their Faith and Beliefs
Bono has been very public about his Christian faith, which drives both his music and activism. Raised by a Catholic father and Protestant mother in Ireland, he embraced a personal relationship with Jesus. “I believe that Jesus was, you know, the Son of God,” Bono plainly stated, aligning himself with orthodox belief. He often echoes C.S. Lewis’s argument that Jesus is either Lord or a lunatic – and Bono chooses Lord. Many U2 songs incorporate biblical imagery and cries to God (for example, “Yahweh” or “40,” which is drawn from Psalm 40). Bono prays regularly and has said following Christ is “very annoying…because He’s very demanding of your life”. Yet, he adds, it’s Christ’s example that compels him to fight for justice. In his own words, “Love is at the center of what I do” – and that for him flows from the ultimate love of God in Christ.
George Frideric Handel (1685–1759) – German-British composer
What They Are Famous For
Handel was a leading Baroque composer famous for his operas, oratorios and concertos. He spent most of his career in England, where he composed beloved works such as “Messiah” (with its Hallelujah Chorus), Water Music and Music for the Royal Fireworks. He is regarded as one of the greatest composers of the late Baroque era.
Their Faith and Beliefs
A man of sincere faith, Handel believed music should uplift the soul toward God. His most celebrated work, Messiah, was written to benefit charity and spread the Christian message. When congratulated for entertaining audiences, Handel humbly replied, “I should be sorry if I only entertained them… I wish to make them better.”. He often wept while composing sacred pieces, saying he felt God’s presence. Handel’s will left funds to charities and churches. He famously said his talent was “due to the goodness of God” and signed his manuscripts “SDG”. Blending artistry and devotion, Handel saw his music as praise: at the end of Messiah’s premiere, he deflected credit upward, saying “God has spoken to man through my music.”
Franz Liszt (1811–1886) – Hungarian composer and virtuoso pianist
What They Are Famous For
Liszt was the greatest pianist of his era and a visionary Romantic composer. He pioneered the symphonic poem and wrote daring piano works (like the Transcendental Études) as well as sacred music and large-scale works. His dazzling performing career and innovative compositions left an immense influence on Western music.
Their Faith and Beliefs
Liszt’s journey of faith deepened over time. In his youth he was a celebrity virtuoso, but by his mid-life he felt a spiritual calling. He became a Third Order Franciscan and in 1865 received minor clerical orders in the Catholic Church, earning the title “Abbé Liszt.” Thereafter he devoted more effort to sacred composition (Mass of Saint Cecilia, Via Crucis) and charitable works. Liszt viewed music as God’s gift to be used for good – he once said that sacred art lifts us “from the earthly to the divine.” In his later years, wearing a monk’s cassock, Liszt lived simply and sought God’s forgiveness for past sins. He wrote, “O my Creator, grant me faith – you know my heart.” Liszt died with a crucifix in hand, having dedicated his final decades to God’s service.
Joseph Haydn (1732–1809) – Austrian composer
What They Are Famous For
Haydn was a central figure of the Classical period and is nicknamed the “Father of the Symphony” and “Father of the String Quartet” for his pivotal contributions to those forms. He composed 104 symphonies, 83 string quartets and many masses and oratorios. As court composer for the Esterházy family, Haydn built the foundations of Classical style that influenced Mozart and Beethoven.
Their Faith and Beliefs
Haydn was a joyful Catholic believer whose faith animated his music. He began each composition with the inscription “In nomine Domini” (In the name of the Lord) and ended with “Laus Deo” (Praise be to God). Contemplating the beauty of creation moved him to worship – “When I think upon God, my heart is so full of joy that the notes dance and leap from my pen,” he said. While composing his great oratorio The Creation, Haydn prayed daily for inspiration and declared he was “never so devout as when working on The Creation*, falling to his knees to thank God when he finished. Audiences could feel the spiritual exultation in his music. Haydn firmly believed his musical gifts were God’s, meant to glorify the Giver.
Antonín Dvořák (1841–1904) – Czech composer
What They Are Famous For
Dvořák was a nationalist composer known for combining folk influences with classical forms. He wrote nine symphonies (including the famous “New World” Symphony), charming Slavonic Dances, concertos and chamber music, and choral works like Stabat Mater. His melody-rich, soulful music made him internationally renowned.
Their Faith and Beliefs
A devout Catholic, Dvořák’s faith was the wellspring of his creativity. He attended Mass regularly, prayed the Rosary daily, and even kept a chapel in his home. Composing his sacred pieces (like Mass in D and Requiem), he would pray for inspiration. Dvořák openly acknowledged that faith fueled his art, saying: “Do not wonder that I am so religious. An artist who is not – could not produce anything like this.” He believed his musical talent was “a gift from God,” and he was known for humility and generosity. While in America, he encouraged students to find inspiration in spirituals. Dvořák’s deep reverence shines through works like his Biblical Songs, where he set Psalms to music, essentially turning Scripture into song.
Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847) – German composer, pianist and conductor
What They Are Famous For
Mendelssohn was a Romantic-era composer who, despite a short life, produced enduring music: his Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Italian and Scottish Symphonies, Songs Without Words for piano, and beloved choral works like the oratorios St. Paul and Elijah. He was a leading musician of his day and helped revive interest in Bach’s music.
Their Faith and Beliefs
Born into a Jewish family that converted to Christianity, Mendelssohn was baptized Lutheran and took his faith seriously. He loved the Bible and based his grand oratorios St. Paul and Elijah entirely on Scripture, aiming to inspire listeners’ faith. Mendelssohn’s letters and diaries reveal a man who prayed often and thanked God for blessings. Conducting Bach’s St. Matthew Passion in 1829 (the first performance since Bach’s time) was, for him, an act of devotion. He once wrote that an artist devoid of faith could never achieve true greatness, saying, “Do not wonder that I am so religious. An artist who is not could not produce anything like this.”. Known for his gentle, gracious spirit, Mendelssohn showed that a life of creative genius could humbly glorify God.
J.R.R. Tolkien (1892–1973) – English writer and philologist
What They Are Famous For
J.R.R. Tolkien was an Oxford philologist and the author of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, epic fantasy works that reshaped modern literature. A master of languages and myth-making, he created Middle-earth with its own histories and tongues, inspiring generations of writers, filmmakers, and readers worldwide.
Their Faith and Beliefs
Tolkien was a devout Roman Catholic whose faith quietly undergirded his storytelling. He described The Lord of the Rings as “a fundamentally religious and Catholic work,” with themes of providence, sacrifice, humility, and mercy woven into the narrative rather than preached outright. He saw sub-creation (human creativity) as participating in God’s own creativity. Tolkien’s letters reveal a man of deep Eucharistic devotion and loyalty to the Church. He helped lead C.S. Lewis toward Christian belief, arguing that the “true myth” of the Gospel fulfilled humanity’s deepest story-longings. For Tolkien, beauty, language, and courage in his stories all pointed back to the Creator.
C.S. Lewis (1898–1963) – British writer and professor
What They Are Famous For
C.S. Lewis was an Oxford and Cambridge professor, literary critic, and Christian apologist. He wrote The Chronicles of Narnia, Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, and many other works that combined sharp logic, rich imagination, and accessible prose, shaping how millions think about faith, reason, and story.
Their Faith and Beliefs
Lewis moved from youthful atheism to a deliberate, hard-won Christian faith. He described himself as “the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England” who eventually yielded to God’s pursuit. His faith centered on the historical Jesus, the reality of sin and grace, and the transformation of the whole person. In Mere Christianity he argued that Christianity makes sense of morality, longing, and the human condition. He famously wrote that he believed in Christianity “as I believe that the sun has risen, not only because I see it but because by it I see everything else.” His essays, stories, and broadcasts sought to help others see the world in the light of Christ.
G.K. Chesterton (1874–1936) – English writer and essayist
What They Are Famous For
G.K. Chesterton was a prolific journalist, essayist, novelist, and poet. Known for his paradoxical wit and clear prose, he wrote Orthodoxy, The Everlasting Man, and the Father Brown detective stories. His work influenced literature, philosophy, and even later thinkers like C.S. Lewis.
Their Faith and Beliefs
Chesterton journeyed from a vague, skeptical upbringing to robust Christian conviction, eventually entering the Roman Catholic Church. His writing defended the goodness of creation, the value of ordinary life, and the reasonableness of Christian doctrine. In Orthodoxy he argued that Christianity uniquely balances joy and seriousness, freedom and boundaries. He famously said, “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting; it has been found difficult and left untried.” For Chesterton, faith meant gratitude, wonder, and loyalty to the truth revealed in Christ and the Church. His humor and paradox were tools to wake readers up to reality as God made it.
Dorothy L. Sayers (1893–1957) – English writer and scholar
What They Are Famous For
Dorothy L. Sayers was a novelist, playwright, and essayist best known for her Lord Peter Wimsey detective stories. She was also a formidable Christian thinker, writing influential essays and plays that connected doctrine, work, and culture in fresh, compelling ways.
Their Faith and Beliefs
Sayers was a committed Anglican Christian who insisted that Christian doctrine is not abstract theory but explosive truth about reality. In essays like “The Greatest Drama Ever Staged” and the collection Creed or Chaos?, she argued that the Church’s problem was not that its dogma was dull but that it had not been plainly taught. She emphasized the Trinity and the Incarnation as the heart of the faith and connected them to human creativity and vocation. Sayers wrote that work well done, for its own sake, is an echo of the Creator’s work. Her plays on Christ’s life and her translation of Dante also flowed from deep devotion. She saw her writing as service to the living God of truth.