JOHN BUNYAN From the original at the national Portrait Gallery Painting by T Sudler His original signature can be seen on his will, now in the "Bunyan Collection", Bedford. Author and Preacher. Born at Elstow, Bedfordshirre 1628. Became a travelling tinker and fought in the Parliamentary Army. According to his own account, his early life was "notoriously ungodly". He married at the age of 19 and abandoned his evil life. Joined a Baptist Society 1655 and became a preacher. In 1660 he was convicted as a "common upholder of several unlawful meetings and conventicles" and committed to Bedford Gaol till 1672. He was again imprisoned in Bedford Gaol in 1675. During his imprisonment wrote "Piltrim's Progress" and other books. Died at Snow Hill, Holborn 1688 and was buried at Bunhill Fields in London.