R(euben) A(rcher) Torrey

See also R. A. Torrey


1856-1928. American evangelist and Bible scholar. A graduate of Yale College and Seminary, he also studied in German universities. He was ordained to the Congregational ministry in 1878, and became superintendent of the Congregational City Missionary Society of Minneapolis. He had a long association with D.L. Moody* and was the first superintendent of the Moody Bible Institute (1889-1908). He went on several world preaching tours between 1902 and 1921, visiting Britain and other European countries, Australia and New Zealand, and Asia. From 1912 to 1924 he was dean of the Bible Institute of Los Angeles and pastor of the Church of the Open Door in the same city from 1915 to 1924. He wrote numerous devotional and theological books; the most important were What the Bible Teaches, How to Work for Christ, and The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit.