William Tyndale 1494 - 1536.

Next to Shakespeare Tyndale has had the most profound impact on our language. His translation of the bible from Greek into the common language of the 'plough boy' was the bonfire the ignited the protestant revolution across England in the middle part of the 16th century. What we call the King James bible - was in fact 84% in the New Testament and 75% in the Old Testament his work. We have much to thank this great neglected magician of English for. His fundamental belief that man was saved by grace alone and not through works was heretical at the time and eventually cost him his life. It totally undermined the Catholic Church doctrine that good works would guarantee the after life. This placed a powder keg under the edifice and blow a hole through it. The English language has therefore benefited at a salient point in its evolution from two masters blacksmiths who have both liberated us in our souls and imaginations. His death at the stake was an horrendous end to an almighty powerful man of letters and truth. See all this in a wonderful programme on BBC Four introduced by Melvyn Bragg The Most Dangerous Man in Tudor England.