The Life and Letters of St. Teresa (Volume One), written by Henry James Coleridge in 1881, is a classic biography of Saint Teresa of Ávila (16th century). It explores her spiritual life, mystical experiences, and the founding of her Carmelite convents through her letters and works, tracing her journey from self-doubt to enlightenment and the reform of the Carmelite order in Spain. While this is a simple biography, it is a profound study of her character and spirituality, using her personal letters as a primary source, similar to the approach of St. Francis Xavier. It describes her internal journey, struggles with illness and self-doubt, and the profound spiritual experiences that led to the founding of new, more rigorous convents.