Thomas W. Jex-Blake

Jex-Blake, Thomas William, son of Thomas Jex-Blake of Burnwell, was born in 1832, and educated at Rugby, and University College, Oxford (B.A. in 1st class 1855; D.D. 1873). He was some time Fellow of Queen's College, Oxford; from 1858 to 1868 Assistant Master at Rugby; Principal of Cheltenham College, 1868 to 1874; Head Master of Rugby, 1874 to 1887; and Rector of Alvechurch, Redditch, 1887. Dr. Jex-Blake's well-known hymn, "Lord, we thank Thee for the pleasure" (Thanksgiving) was written at the request of Dr. Cotton (then Head Master of Marlborough), in September, 1855. It is in the Rugby and other Public Schools hymn-books, and several general collections. Dr. Jex-Blake's published works do not contain any original poetical compositions.

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)