Edward Planta Nesbit was a schoolmaster, author and land agent in Angaston, South Australia, during the 19th century. Aside from a thin book of poetry, "Jesus An Essene" was the only book of his which ever saw print.

In "Jesus An Essene" Nesbit makes a very radical proposal which hinges on Jesus being a member of the Essene sect, today known as the custodians of the famous 'Dead Sea Scrolls.' This may not have been the first appearance of this theme, which remains popular today, but it is the earliest one. In any case, this is one of those short books which can have a big impact on the reader, a book that can change the way you think about Christianity.