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Ellen G. White

Co-founder of the Seventh-day Adventist Church

Lived 87 years

  • Lived1827 – 1915
  • Wrote100,000+ manuscript pages
  • Books40+ books published in her lifetime
  • ReachTranslated into 165+ languages

Biography

Began having prophetic visions at age 17, three months after the Great Disappointment of October 22, 1844 — the foundational moment of what would become the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Married James White in 1846; together with Joseph Bates they shaped the theological and organizational framework of the movement. Her writings continue to inform Adventist teaching on the Sabbath, the heavenly sanctuary, health reform, education, and the second coming.

Featured quote

“We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history.”

Did you know?

At Elmshaven she wrote on a lapboard, sitting before the bay window of her upstairs writing room, often beginning at two or three o'clock in the morning.

Books & Works

A guided tour of Ellen White's major writings — tap a book to see its details.

Where Ellen wrote, around the world

  • Portland, Maine1827–1846

    Childhood and early adulthood

  • Rochester, New York1846–1855

    Early Sabbatarian ministry with James White

  • Battle Creek, Michigan1855–1885

    Movement organization · founding institutions

  • Basel, Switzerland1885–1887

    European ministry

  • Healdsburg, California1887–1891

    Return from Europe; Minneapolis 1888 GC

  • Cooranbong, Australia1891–1900

    Australian ministry · founding Avondale

  • Elmshaven, St. Helena1900–1915

    Final period · later books · death at 87

Major works

  • The Great Controversy1888
  • Patriarchs and Prophets1890
  • Steps to Christ1892
  • The Desire of Ages1898
  • Education1903
  • The Ministry of Healing1905
  • The Acts of the Apostles1911
  • Prophets and Kings1917