Thomas Blacklock

Blacklock, Thomas, D.D., born at Annan, Dumfriesshire, November 10, 1721. He studied at the University of Edinburgh, and was, in 1759, licensed to preach. In 1762 he was ordained pariah minister of Kirkcudbright, but, on account of his blindness, had to resign and retire on an annuity. He went to Edinburgh and there received as boarders University students and boys attending school. In 1767 he received the degree of D.D. from the University of Aberdeen (Marischal College). He was one of the earliest and most helpful literary friends of Robert Burns. He died at Edinburgh July 7, 1791. His Poems were often printed—in 1756 at London, with a Memoir by the Rev. Joseph Spence, Professor of Poetry at Oxford; in 1793, at Edinburgh, with a Memoir by Henry Mackenzie, &c. They include 2 Psalm Versions, and 4 Hymns. "Hail, source of pleasures ever new," is altered from the Hymn to Benevolence, and "Father of all, omniscient mind," is from his version of Psalm 139. No. 16 in the Translations and Paraphrases of 1781, “In life's gay morn," &c, is also ascribed to him. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.]

-- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)