"The Most Dangerous Man in England": Newman and the Laity

Once described by the papal chamberlain George Talbot as "the most dangerous man in England," John Henry Newman held bold views on the laity that challenged the ecclesial status quo of his day. But what exactly made his ideas so provocative? And what relevance do they have today?In "The Most Dangerous Man in England" Newman and the Laity, Paul Shrimpton examines Newman's revolutionary perspective on the laity's role in the Church and in the world. More than just an analysis of Newman's writings, this work tells the story of the great saint's dealings with lay men and women throughout his long and eventful life, revealing Newman's lively insights, genius for friendship, and deep humanity. Shrimpton traces Newman's journey from his influential years at Oxford to his leadership at the Birmingham Oratory, from the founding of the Catholic University in Ireland to his controversial efforts to establish a "Catholic Eton," a boys' school attached to the Birmingham Oratory. Through these episo