101 Questions on the Sanctuary and on Ellen White

G—Ellen White As a Writer

71. The Plagiarism Charge

The Chicago Tribune of November 23, 1980, quotes Walter Rea as saying, “Ellen G. White was a plagiarist.” Is there anything to this charge? QSEW 64.1

Plagiarism, as only understood, includes the act of one author in borrowing from another without giving credit, the practice of deception by passing off the borrowed material as one’s own, and the deprival of the original author of recognition and his just financial benefits. QSEW 64.2

It is a fact that Ellen White did use the works of others to some extent while engaged in her writing, but there is no evidence of intention to deceive on her part, nor is there evidence that any other author was ever deprived of his legitimate benefits because of her activities. No publisher or author in any land has ever brought or threatened to bring suit against Ellen White on the ground that the rights of publishers or authors had been infringed upon. (See Brief Statements Regarding the Writings of Ellen G. White, ⁴ Page 14; also see F. D. Nichol, Ellen G. White and Her Critics, pages 403-467 for a full discussion of the plagiarism issue.) QSEW 64.3