The Diary of David Brainerd

David Brainerd (1718–1747) was a colonial American missionary to Native Americans made famous when Jonathan Edwards (1703–1758) posthumously edited his journal and other writings into a popular biographical narrative. Having spent time at Yale University, Brainerd entered the ministry in 1742 and dedicated his life to work amongst native peoples in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey before expiring at the age of 29. This 1902 edition of The Diary and Journal of David Brainerd provided readers with a broader picture of his life and the source material from which Edwards composed his narrative. Volume 1 focuses mostly upon the diary, which contains Brainerd's discussion of his brief life, including not insignificant reference to the illness that claimed him. Ultimately, the thoughts preserved in this two-volume set are an important resource for those interested in religion in America during the period known as the 'Great Awakening'.