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Secondary sourceBook1916

The Facts about Luther

Patrick F. O'Hare · 1916

A 1916 Catholic polemic examining and criticizing the life and teachings of Martin Luther.

A hostile Catholic biography of Luther, showing the lasting religious controversy over his reforms.

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The Facts about LutherPDF · 376 pages

About this source

What it is

Written in 1916 by Monsignor Patrick F. O'Hare, this book presents a critical Catholic account of Martin Luther's life and the Reformation he led.

Why it matters

The book is a secondary source produced centuries after Luther's death, during a period when Catholic and Protestant writers still argued fiercely over his legacy. It shows how interpretations of Luther varied sharply depending on the religious viewpoint of the author.

Look closer

  • The preface claims there are 'two Luthers' — what might this mean, and why would an author say this?
  • How can you tell when a historical book is trying to persuade rather than simply inform?
  • Why might this book have been popular enough to reach a 'twenty-sixth thousand' printing?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Martin Luther on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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