Mention John Knox to someone, and they will likely picture a “strident and misogynist religious reformer”, thanks to Knox’s habit of getting into fights with Mary, Queen of Scots, and his notorious First Blast of the Trumpet Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women. In this biography, Jane Dawson’s task is to paint a more nuanced picture, demonstrating how he contributed to religious reformation movements throughout Europe and was capable of working well with women (even Mary!).

I found this a fascinating biography, particularly because I happened to be reading Antonia Fraser’s biography of Mary, Queen of Scots, at the same time. Dawson quotes extensively from Knox’s own writings, preserving his spelling as well, which adds some extra flavour to these passages. In terms of presenting its subject fairly, I think Dawson succeeds: she does not deny that he wrote some poisonous things about women, and she notes his increased paranoia and grumpiness as he got older. But she does round it out with the aforementioned family life and the possibly surprising fact that he corresponded extensively with the women in his parishes on matters spiritual, and found it more difficult to deal with the exclusively male executive committees. Knox even worked together with Mary, Queen of Scots, on a non-religious matter! That was the biggest surprise in this book.

This is 4.5 stars because I found the book had a tendency to present information in not-quite-chronological ways: it would introduce a person at a certain time in Knox’s life, then mention events far in the future that touched on both of them, then go back to the present time. It made a bit of a choppy read in places. But overall I found this book very interesting, learned a lot and even chuckled out loud in places. Well worth reading if you’re interested in the period in which Knox lived, or in the Reformation in general. ( )

This is a bit heavy of a read, but it's worth the effort that it takes. As an adult (not "cradle") Presbyterian, I found this biography invaluable, especially considering Jane Dawson's background as Professor of Reformation History in the Divinity School at the University of Edinburgh.

I'm quite knowledgeable in English history in the Tudor and Stuart era (though with a particular bent toward literature). My knowledge of Scottish history during that period is a bit sketchier, but I didn't find it at all difficult to keep track of the names and personalities of the various characters.

Highly recommended as a study of the leader of the Scottish Reformation and father of Presbyterianism. ( )