# The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism — Character guide

> Key figures in The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism by Max Weber.

- [Max Weber](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/max_weber.md): Author and narrator of the work, analyzing the relationship between Protestant ethics and capitalism.
- [Martin Luther](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/luther.md): Central figure in the development of the Protestant concept of the calling, which Weber analyzes.
- [John Calvin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/calvin.md): Theologian whose doctrine of predestination forms a key foundation for ascetic Protestantism.
- [Richard Baxter](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/baxter.md): Puritan divine whose pastoral writings exemplify the practical ethics of ascetic Protestantism.
- [Benjamin Franklin](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/franklin.md): American statesman whose maxims illustrate the spirit of capitalism in Weber's argument.
- [John Wesley](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/wesley.md): Founder of Methodism, whose teachings on work and wealth are discussed in relation to asceticism.
- [Philipp Jakob Spener](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/spener.md): Founder of Pietism, whose emphasis on personal piety influenced the development of ascetic Protestantism.
- [Nikolaus von Zinzendorf](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/zinzendorf.md): Leader of the Herrnhuter movement, discussed in the context of Pietism and its ethical implications.
- [Werner Sombart](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/sombart.md): Contemporary economic historian whose views on capitalism Weber critically engages with.
- [Albrecht Ritschl](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/ritschl.md): Theologian whose interpretation of Pietism and Protestant history Weber discusses and critiques.
- [Lujo Brentano](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/brentano.md): Economic historian whose opposing views on the spirit of capitalism are addressed by Weber.
- [John Bunyan](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/bunyan.md): Author of Pilgrim's Progress, whose work reflects the Puritan ethic and its relation to worldly activity.
- [Oliver Cromwell](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/cromwell_oliver.md): Puritan political leader whose actions and policies are referenced in the context of ascetic Protestantism.
- [August Hermann Francke](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/francke.md): Pietist theologian and educator whose practical piety influenced the movement's ethical outlook.
- [Robert Barclay](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/barclay.md): Quaker apologist whose writings are cited in the discussion of the Baptist sects and their ethics.
- [Thomas Aquinas](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/thomas_aquinas.md): Medieval scholastic philosopher whose views on economic ethics are contrasted with Protestant ones.
- [Johannes Tauler](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/tauler.md): Medieval mystic whose writings influenced Luther and the development of Protestant spirituality.
- [John Milton](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/milton.md): English poet and Puritan whose work reflects the ethical and religious concerns of the era.
- [Matthias Schneckenburger](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/scheckenburger.md): Theologian whose comparative studies of Calvinism and Lutheranism are referenced by Weber.
- [Samuel Bailey](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/bailey.md): Economist whose observations on the spirit of capitalism are cited in the text.
- [Blaise Pascal](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/pascal.md): French philosopher and Jansenist whose religious views are discussed in relation to asceticism.
- [Thomas Adams](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/thomas_adams.md): Puritan preacher whose sermons are quoted to illustrate the practical ethics of the movement.
- [George Fox](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/fox.md): Founder of the Quakers, whose religious movement is analyzed in the context of ascetic Protestantism.
- [Adam Smith](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/adam_smith.md): Economist whose ideas on wealth and labor are referenced in the discussion of capitalism.
- [Ernst Troeltsch](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/troeltsch.md): Contemporary theologian and sociologist whose work on Christianity and society is engaged with.
- [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/goethe.md): German poet whose literary works are occasionally cited to illustrate cultural points.
- [Philipp Melanchthon](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/melanchthon.md): Lutheran reformer whose theological contributions are mentioned in the context of Lutheranism.
- [Menno Simons](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/menno_simons.md): Founder of the Mennonites, an Anabaptist group discussed in the section on Baptist sects.
- [Johannes Hoornbeek](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/hoornbeek.md): Dutch theologian whose writings on Calvinist ethics are cited by Weber.
- [Sir William Petty](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/petty.md): English economist and statistician whose observations on economic behavior are referenced.
- [Sebastian Franck](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/sebastian_franck.md): German reformer and spiritualist whose ideas are mentioned in the context of radical Protestantism.
- [F. Keller](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/keller.md): Scholar whose work on the history of the family is cited in the text.
- [Eduard Bernstein](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/bernstein.md): Socialist theorist whose views on religion and capitalism are discussed.
- [Jacob Fugger](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/jacob_fugger.md): Renaissance banker and merchant whose business practices are contrasted with the Protestant ethic.
- [George Whitefield](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/whitefield.md): Methodist evangelist whose preaching and activities are mentioned in the context of Methodism.
- [Rembrandt](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/rembrandt.md): Dutch painter whose work is referenced in a discussion of cultural and religious expression.
- [F. Rachfahl](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/rachfahl.md): Scholar whose critique of Weber's thesis is addressed in the text.
- [Gijsbert Voet](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/voet.md): Dutch Calvinist theologian whose strict ethics are cited as an example of Reformed asceticism.
- [Augustine of Hippo](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/augustine.md): Early Church Father whose theological views are referenced in discussions of grace and predestination.
- [Alphonsus Liguori](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/liguori.md): Catholic moral theologian whose casuistic approach is contrasted with Protestant ethics.
- [St. Francis of Assisi](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/st_francis.md): Founder of the Franciscan order, whose embrace of poverty is contrasted with Protestant asceticism.
- [Doyle](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/doyle.md): Author or source cited in the endnotes, likely a historical reference.
- [Reinhold Seeberg](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/seeberg.md): Theologian whose historical work on doctrine is referenced in the text.
- [Karl Hundeshagen](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/hundeshagen.md): Theologian whose views on Protestantism and culture are mentioned.
- [Stephen Charnock](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/charnock.md): Puritan theologian whose writings on the attributes of God are cited.
- [Richard Cromwell](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/richard_cromwell.md): Son of Oliver Cromwell, briefly mentioned in a historical context.
- [Professor Ashley](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/ashley.md): Economic historian whose work is cited in the discussion of capitalism.
- [Henri Pirenne](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/pirenne.md): Historian whose views on medieval cities and capitalism are referenced.
- [St. Paul](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/st_paul.md): Apostle whose teachings on work and calling are foundational for Christian ethics.
- [Richard Wagner](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/richard_wagner.md): Composer whose cultural significance is briefly mentioned in the text.
- [Sanford](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/sanford.md): Likely a scholar or historical figure cited in the endnotes.
- [Thomas Babington Macaulay](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/macaulay.md): Historian and politician whose writings on English history are referenced.
- [Heinrich Heppe](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/heppe.md): Theologian whose work on Reformed theology is cited.
- [St. Bernard of Clairvaux](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/st_bernard.md): Medieval mystic and reformer whose views on love and contemplation are mentioned.
- [Matthew Henry](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/matthew_henry.md): Biblical commentator whose works were widely read in Puritan circles.
- [G. White](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/white.md): Likely a scholar or historical figure cited in the text.
- [Wilhelm Windelband](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/windelband.md): Philosopher whose work on the history of philosophy is referenced.
- [Karl Lamprecht](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/lamprecht.md): Historian whose cultural-historical approach is mentioned in the text.
- [Edward Dowden](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/dowden.md): Literary critic whose work on Shakespeare is cited in the text.
- [Martin Offenbacher](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/offenbacher.md): Researcher whose statistical data on religious affiliation and education is used by Weber.
- [H. Levy](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/levy.md): Scholar whose work on economic history is cited in the text.
- [Dr. Paul Honigsheim](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/honigsheim.md): Sociologist and colleague of Weber, whose research is referenced.
- [Hanserd Knolly](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/hanserd_knolly.md): Baptist minister whose confession of faith is cited in the discussion of Baptist sects.
- [Groen van Prinsterer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/groen_van_prinsterer.md): Dutch politician and historian, mentioned in a historical context.
- [Dietrich Schäfer](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/dietrich_schafer.md): Historian whose views on economic history are referenced.
- [H. von Sternberg](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/h_von_sternberg.md): Likely a scholar or historical figure cited in the text.
- [Frank H. Knight](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/frank_h_knight.md): Economist whose work on risk and uncertainty is mentioned.
- [Frank G. Ward](https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters/frank_g_ward.md): Likely a scholar or historical figure cited in the text.

HTML index: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_protestant_ethic_and_the_spirit_of_capitalis_se/characters