# Charles Taze Russell

> Founder of the Bible Student movement (1852–1916)

**Wikidata**: [Q313456](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q313456)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Taze_Russell)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/charles-taze-russell

## Summary
Charles Taze Russell was an American writer, publisher, and filmmaker, known as the founder of the Bible Student movement and Jehovah's Witnesses. He lived from 1852 to 1916, establishing a significant religious movement that continues to impact Christian denominations.

## Biography
- Born: February 16, 1852
- Died: October 31, 1916
- Nationality: United States
- Known for: Founding the Bible Student movement and Jehovah's Witnesses
- Field(s): Philosophy, writing, publishing, filmmaking

## Contributions
*   Founded the Bible Student movement, a Christian movement that began in 1881.
*   Founded Jehovah's Witnesses, a nontrinitarian millenarian restorationist Christian denomination, in the United States in 1881.
*   Authored "The Photo-Drama of Creation," a film released in 1914.
*   Associated with the periodical "The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom," which began in July 1879.
*   Influenced the establishment of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania in 1884.

## FAQs
*   **Who was Charles Taze Russell?**
    Charles Taze Russell was an American individual born in 1852 and died in 1916. He is recognized as the founder of both the Bible Student movement and Jehovah's Witnesses, and he worked as a writer, publisher, and filmmaker.
*   **What significant organizations or movements did Charles Taze Russell establish?**
    Charles Taze Russell founded the Bible Student movement and Jehovah's Witnesses, both Christian movements that began in 1881. He also influenced the establishment of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania.
*   **What were some of Charles Taze Russell's notable works?**
    Charles Taze Russell created the 1914 film "The Photo-Drama of Creation." He was also associated with the periodical "The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom," which commenced publication in July 1879.
*   **What was Charles Taze Russell's nationality and profession?**
    Charles Taze Russell was a citizen of the United States. His professions included writer, publisher, and filmmaker, with a field of work that encompassed philosophy.

## Why They Matter
Charles Taze Russell matters as the direct founder of two significant religious entities: the Bible Student movement and Jehovah's Witnesses. His work as a writer, publisher, and filmmaker, including the 1914 film "The Photo-Drama of Creation" and his association with "The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom," was crucial in articulating and disseminating the theological views that underpin these movements. The Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, established in 1884, also traces its origins to his influence, demonstrating his profound and lasting impact on the development of a major Christian denomination and its associated organizations.

## Notable For
*   Founding the Bible Student movement (1881).
*   Founding Jehovah's Witnesses (1881).
*   Being the filmmaker behind "The Photo-Drama of Creation" (1914).
*   His role as a writer and publisher, particularly in relation to "The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom."
*   Influencing the establishment of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania.

## Body

### Early Life and Demise
Charles Taze Russell was born on February 16, 1852, and was a citizen of the United States. His life concluded on October 31, 1916.

### Founding Religious Movements
Russell is widely recognized as the founder of the Bible Student movement, a Christian movement that began in 1881. Concurrently, he founded Jehovah's Witnesses in the United States in 1881. Jehovah's Witnesses is described as a nontrinitarian millenarian restorationist Christian denomination.

### Professional Pursuits
Throughout his life, Charles Taze Russell engaged in several professional capacities. He was a prolific writer, contributing to the articulation and spread of his religious and philosophical ideas. He also functioned as a publisher, notably being associated with the periodical "The Watchtower Announcing Jehovah's Kingdom," which began its publication in July 1879. His intellectual endeavors placed his field of work within philosophy.

### Filmmaking Contributions
Beyond his literary and publishing efforts, Russell also ventured into filmmaking. He is credited as the filmmaker behind "The Photo-Drama of Creation," a significant film that was released in 1914. This work showcased his innovative approach to using media for religious instruction and outreach.

### Organizational Development and Legacy
Russell's foundational work had a profound impact on the establishment and evolution of key religious organizations. He influenced the formation of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania, a not-for-profit organization that was incorporated in 1884 in the United States. This organization, headquartered at Q3708823, is intrinsically linked to the movements he founded. The headquarters of Jehovah's Witnesses is also Q3708823, underscoring the direct lineage and enduring legacy of Russell's pioneering efforts in shaping these religious bodies. His initiatives as a writer, publisher, and filmmaker were central to defining the theological perspectives and organizational structures that continue to characterize these movements.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Integrated Authority File
3. International Standard Name Identifier
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. CiNii Research
6. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
7. SNAC
8. Find a Grave
9. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. LIBRIS. 2007
12. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File