Born in England, George Buttrick (1892–1980) was educated at Lancaster Inde- pendent College. He later came to the United States and was ordained by the Congregational church in 1915. Five years later he entered the Presbyterian min- istry. In 1927 he became the pastor of Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City and served there until his death in 1980.

During his ministry Buttrick delivered many lectures and addresses at colleges and universities around the world. He was also a gifted writer on the spiritual life. His book Prayer is considered to be one of the most thorough and comprehensive works on prayer ever written.