The Rev. Dr. Cyril C. Richardson was a Professor of Church History at Union Theological Seminary in New York. He was born in England in 1909 and graduated from the University of Saskatchewan in 1930. He received the Licentiate in Theology, with high honors, from Emmanuel College, Saskatoon, in 1931. He then went to Union Theological Seminary, New York, taking the degrees of Master of Sacred Theology, summa cum laude, in 1932, and Doctor of Theology in 1934. During 1933-1936, he pursued further graduate and post-doctoral studies in Europe at the Universities of Göttingen, Dijon and Basel.

Dr. Richardson joined the Union Seminary faculty in 1934 and remained there throughout his career, serving the seminary for forty-two years as teacher and administrator. In 1949 he was named Washburn Professor of Church History and in 1954 he became Director of Graduate Studies, continuing in both roles until his retirement in 1974.

Part of the Library of Christian Classics series, Early Christian Fathers is the best single-book introduction to the early church fathers, providing an enriching and informative introduction to first and second century Christian thought. Containing carefully selected letters and works from early church fathers—including among others St. Clement, St. Ignatius, St. Polycarp, St. Justin the Martyr, and St. Irenaeus—Early Christian Fathers gives a representative, though not exhaustive, overview of early Christian thought. A brief introduction and extensive notes also accompany each letter or work, making Early Christian Fathers a great study aid. Thus, with flowing and contemporary translations, Early Christian Fathers is ideal for beginners and scholars alike; it is essential reading for anyone interested in the early church fathers. Tim Perrine (www.ccel.org)