Joseph Franklin Rutherford

Joseph Franklin Rutherford (1869–1942) was an American religious leader who succeeded Charles Taze Russell as president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society and reshaped the Bible Student movement into the organization known as Jehovah’s Witnesses.

Charles Taze Russell: American religious leader who founded the Bible Student movement and served as the first president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. Rutherford succeeded Russell in 1917, inheriting the movement and its publishing organization.
Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society: A religious publishing and administrative corporation founded in 1884 by the Bible Student movement. Rutherford used its presidency to direct the movement’s publications and administration.
Bible Student movement: A Christian restorationist movement that emerged from the Bible-study groups associated with Charles Taze Russell. Rutherford inherited this movement after Russell’s death and transformed its organization.
1931 adoption of the name Jehovah’s Witnesses: The 1931 resolution by Bible Students associated with the Watch Tower Society adopting the name Jehovah’s Witnesses. Rutherford presented the name as a scriptural distinction from other Bible Student groups.
Nathan Homer Knorr: American religious leader who served as the third president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society. Knorr followed Rutherford and continued leading the organization Rutherford had centralized.
The Finished Mystery: A 1917 book presenting interpretations of biblical prophecy, published as the seventh volume of Studies in the Scriptures. Its publication under Rutherford’s leadership became central to the 1918 prosecution.
Adventism: A Christian movement emphasizing the imminent return of Jesus Christ and related biblical prophecies. Adventist teachings and expectations formed part of the religious environment from which the Bible Students emerged.
House-to-house preaching: A form of evangelism in which preachers visit homes to share religious teachings. Rutherford organized preaching as a regular, coordinated activity for congregations.
Alexander Hugh Macmillan: Canadian-born Bible Student and Watch Tower Society leader who worked closely with Rutherford. Macmillan remained a prominent associate during Rutherford’s presidency and imprisonment.
Golden Age: A religious magazine launched by the Watch Tower Society in 1919 and later renamed Consolation and Awake!. Rutherford expanded the Society’s periodical publishing to support its preaching work.

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