Charles M. Sheldon (1857-1946) was an American Congregationalist minister and author, best known for his influential novel In His Steps. A graduate of Brown University and Andover Theological Seminary, Sheldon served as a pastor in Topeka, Kansas, where he became a prominent advocate for social reform and the Social Gospel movement. His writing and preaching emphasized the practical application of Christian ethics in daily life, inspiring generations of readers to live out their faith with compassion and conviction.