威廉·詹姆斯（William James，1842—1910）美國本土第一位哲學傢和心理學傢，也是教育學傢，實用主義的倡導者，美國機能主義心理學派創始人之一，也是美國最早的實驗心理學傢之一。1875年，建立美國第一個心理學實驗室。1904年當選為美國心理學會主席，1906年當選為國傢科學院院士。2006年，詹姆斯被美國的權威期刊《大西洋月刊》評為影響美國的100位人物之一（第62位）。

In this classic work William James explores the psychology of religion, applying scientific method to a field that had previously been treated as theoretical, abstract philosophy. This 2002 centenary edition celebrates the 100th anniversary of this landmark text. It includes new introductions by Jeremy Carrette and Eugene Taylor, as well as a fully revised index. James believed that individual religious experiences, rather than the precepts of organized religions, were the backbone of the world's religious life. His discussions of conversion, repentance, mysticism and saintliness and personal religious observations and experiences all support his thesis. James' pluralistic view of religion led to his remarkable tolerance for extreme forms of religious behaviour, a willingness to take risks in formulating his own theories, and a welcome lack of pretentiousness in his observations on how an individual stands in relation to the divine.