Mott, John Raleigh

Basic Biographical Information

John R. Mott is the best known figure in the Ecumenical movement. He was a leader of several organizations that preceded the World Council of Churches (WCC).

The story of Mott starts usually with his attendance the Mount Hermon Student Conference in 1886. Two years later, when he graduated, he accepted the post of College Secretary of the Intercollegiate YMCA (1888–1915). In 1895, when the World Student Christian Federation (WSCF) was founded, Mott became its first General Secretary (1895–1920). In 1901, he became an Associate General Secretary (1901–1915) of the North American International Committee of the YMCA and in 1915 its General Secretary (1915–1928). Along with his work in the YMCA, Mott was a president of the Student Volunteer Movement (1886–1920) and general secretary (1895–1920) and chairman of the WSCF (1920–1928).

From 1891 on, Mott increasingly became a central figure in the World Alliance of YMCAs. In 1900 he became a member of the World's...