Frank Laubach

Frank Charles Laubach (1884-1970) was an American Christian missionary and literacy advocate who is best known for his work in promoting literacy and self-improvement through what he called the "each one teach one" method.

Laubach was born on September 2, 1884, in Benton, Pennsylvania, and grew up in a devout Christian family. After earning a degree in philosophy from Princeton University in 1909, he studied theology and became a missionary in the Philippines. There, he was struck by the large number of illiterate people he encountered and began to develop his "each one teach one" method, which involved teaching one person to read and write and then asking that person to teach another.

Over the course of his career, Laubach traveled to more than 100 countries, including India, China, and Africa, where he worked to promote literacy and self-improvement among people of all ages and backgrounds. He also authored numerous books and articles on literacy and spirituality, including "Letters by a Modern Mystic," which has become a classic in Christian literature.

Laubach was also a pioneer in the use of radio and other mass media to spread his message of literacy and self-improvement. In 1955, he founded the Laubach Literacy International, which continues to promote literacy and education around the world.

Laubach died on June 11, 1970, in Syracuse, New York. His legacy continues to inspire people to work for literacy and self-improvement around the world, and he remains an important figure in the history of Christian missions and education.