St. Francis of Assisi

According to Chesterton St Francis of Assisi anticipated all that is most sympathetic in the modern mood, he exceeds Wordsworth in his love of nature and Tolstoy in his social compassion. However St Francis' love of people was not based on a worldly obsession but was the expression of his complete love of Christ. It is perhaps his key inspiration and legacy that the material things most valued by humanity diminish to insignificance in the light of this love.