The author of this book was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania. He received his A. B. degree at Greenville College. He completed the work for the Master of Arts degree at Columbia University, received the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at Cornell University, and did research work at the University of Berlin in Germany. He has been dean of Greenville College, president of Evansville Junior College, and a member of the faculty of Cornell University for several years in the Department of Ancient History. Dr. Blews collaborated with Professor George Botsford of Columbia University in the publication of "The Roman Assemblies." He also furnished a translation of the municipal laws of Julius Caesar for the volume "A Source Book in Ancient History." For a number of years he has been actively engaged in the ministry, during which time he has also been a corresponding editor of the "Free Methodist," contributing many articles largely in the field of biography. He is also editor of "The Pennsylvania Challenge."

The first edition of Master Workmen was published in 1939. This Centennial Edition, with the addition of the chapter on the life of Bishop William Pearce is published by order of the General Conference of 1955.