Lloyd C. Douglas, a renowned novelist, was born Doya Cassell Douglas in Columbia City, Indiana, in the year 1877. His father, a devout Lutheran minister, played a significant role in shaping his early life. Young Lloyd's educational pursuits took him to Wittenberg Seminary in Springfield, Ohio, where he received his theological training. After completing his studies, he served as a pastor in a church in Manchester, Indiana.
In 1905, Douglas married and started a family, having two children by then. He relocated to Lancaster, Ohio, in 1908 and later to Washington, D.C. From 1911 to 1915, he held the esteemed position of chaplain and director of religious work at the University of Illinois. Throughout the next two decades, he served as pastor in numerous churches across the United States. However, in 1933, he decided to retire from the ministry and dedicate his life to writing.
Many of Douglas's books, which often explored religious themes, were adapted into successful films. One of his most notable works, "The Robe," was published in 1942 and sold an astonishing six million copies. The novel was later adapted into a highly acclaimed film, "The Robe" (1953),which won two Academy Awards. His next most famous work would likely be "Magnificent Obsession," which he wrote in 1929 and was later filmed with great success in 1954.
Douglas's final novel, "The Big Fisherman" (1948),focused on the lives of Jesus, Peter, and a young couple, Esther and Voldi, in ancient Palestine. He began working on his autobiography, "Time to Remember," but unfortunately, he passed away before its completion. His daughters, Virginia and Betty, finished the book and titled it "The Shape of Sunday."
Lloyd C. Douglas passed away in Los Angeles, California, in the year 1951, leaving behind a legacy of captivating novels that continue to entertain and inspire readers to this day.
