Dorothy Day
The book is the autobiography of Dorothy Day. Day was a writer and social activist in the early decades of the 20th century before her conversion to Catholicism. Following this conversion, she founded the Catholic Worker movement and retained her radical commitment to progressivism, thus transforming her into one of the most important figures in the history of American Catholicism.
Peter Maurin
French immigrant Maurin was instrumental in teaching the formerly Episcopal Day the dogma of Catholic religious thought, and in helping to shape and guide her through her conversion. Maurin also becomes instrumental in forging the idea for Day to establish the Catholic Worker as an example of the radical press which eventually led to the movement which takes its name.
Robert Ludlow
Ludlow interestingly combines the radicalism of the anarchist with the non-violence of theoretical pacifism. Just as Maurin is essential in helping teach Day the intricacies of Catholic humanism, so is Ludlow a guiding light in helping Day find and keep her radical voice as he becomes an influential editor of the Catholic Worker press.
Forster Batterham
Battherham was Day’s common law husband and the father of their child. A radical like Day, he failed to find the inspiration in religion which satisfied her own search for a sense of community. In fact, Batterham was not just an anarchic biologist, but an atheist and Day’s commitment to raising their daughter within the faith led to the breakup of the marriage.
