John Harris

Harris, John, D.D., was born at Ugborough, Devon, March 8, 1802, and educated for the Congregational Ministry at Hoxton Academy. He was Minister of the Congregational Church, Epsom, 1825-38; President of the Countess of Huntingdon's College at Cheshunt, 1838-50; and Principal of New College, London, 1850, to his death, Dec. 21, 1856. He received the degree of D.D. from Brown University in 1838. His works were numerous, including The Great Teacher, 1835; Union: or, the Divided Church made one, 1837; The Pre-Adamite Earth, 1846; two prize essays; a volume of poems, The Incarnate One, &c. His hymn, "Light up this house with glory, Lord" (Opening of a Place of Worship), appeared in the New Congregational Hymn Book, 1859, No. 882. It has become widely known, and is of more than usual merit. [Rev. W. Garrett Horder]

-- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology