Ralph Washington Sockman (1889-1970) The circuit

The Time Magazine ™ in 1961 said that Ralph was generally acknowledged as the best Protestant preacher in the USA. He had gained considerable prominence in the USA as the featured speaker on the weekly NBC radio program National Radio Pulpit (1928-1962) and as a writer of several best selling books…

Back in 1946 the ™ pointed out that his radio program received 4,000 letters weekly ’ the number one protestant radio pastor of the US … rated by volume fan mail. ’

In 1950 the ™ listed a typical Sunday routine for then 60 year old Ralph.
(Read marked margin).

Ralph graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University and studied for the ministry at Union Theological Seminary in New York City. He was initially called to be an associate minister (1916), but became the senior pastor (1917) at Madison Avenue Methodist Episcopal Church. Later it was called Christ Church, in New York City. He stayed there for the next 44 years (1916-1961) and had a membership of 5,000.

In Preaching it says he was called the 20th century 'circuit rider. He combined being a pastor, a radio pastor and a seminary lecturer. Why all 3?
Ralph explained - For many years I have been convinced that the greatest need of the contemporary church is the strengthening of the local pulpit. Public speaking was his specialty.

The article in Preaching goes into great detail about his style of preaching.
Briefly -preparation began in the summer vocation. He wrote the sermon out in full. The preached sermon he spoke extemporaneously.
(Read last para. of page 1 then pages 2,3 & 4 for full detail)
He published 23 books

G. Paul Butler called him the preacher’s preacher. To hear him preach is a spiritual event. Dr Sockman is one of the greatest preachers of our day

Sources used

Facebook
Preaching.com
The New York Times
Wikipedia