Edward Burrough

Who was Edward Burrough?

Edward Burrough was an early English Quaker leader and controversialist. He is regarded as one of the Valiant Sixty, early Quaker preachers and missionaries.

Burrough was born in Underbarrow, Cumbria, and educated in the Church of England, but became a Presbyterian before converting to Quakerism. He heard George Fox preach in 1652 and immediately converted to what later came to be known as the Religious Society of Friends during his late teens. He was consequently rejected by his parents. Burrough became itinerant preaching throughout England, traveling with another Friend, Francis Howgill.

During the years 1656-1657 Burrough and John Bunyan were engaged in a debate by way of pamphlets. First Bunyan published Some Gospel Truths Opened in which he attacked Quaker beliefs. Burrough responded with The True Faith of the Gospel of Peace. Bunyan countered Burrough's pamphlet with A Vindication of Some Gospel Truths Opened, which Burrough answered with Truth Witnessed Forth. Later the Quaker leader George Fox entered the verbal fray by publishing a refutation of Bunyan's essay in his The Great Mystery of the Great Whore Unfolded.