W. C. White and Ellen G. White: The Relationship Between the Prophet and Her Son

A Scholarly Look at the Relationship Between Mother and Son

In her later years Ellen White's physical decline contrasted sharply with her son's high-profile leadership and created a perceptual atmosphere in which the charges of critics that she was manipulated by her son seemed plausible. Such charges if true would compromise Ellen White's claim to divine inspiration. This book analyzes W.C. White's relationship to his mother and her work during her lifetime.

For thirty-four years (from the time of his father’s death in 1881 until her death in 1915) W.C. White was her closest confidant and co-laborer. After her death he served an additional twenty-two years as the leading trustee of the Ellen G. White Estate which had custodial and publication responsibilities for her writings. Thus for fifty-six years he occupied positions of trust in relation to Ellen White and her writings.

During Ellen White’s old age charges of manipulation were leveled at W. C. White that closely paralleled allegations previously made about others. This study is presented chronologically with topically organized subdivisions. Each chapter begins with a chronological overview in order to establish a context for topical considerations of W. C. White’s relationship to his mother and her work.