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Louis F. Benson

1855 - 1930 Person Name: Louis Fitzgerald Benson, 1855-1930 Topics: Adoration and Praise Author of "O Sing a Song of Bethlehem" in Hymns for a Pilgrim People Benson, Louis FitzGerald, D.D., was born at Philadelphia, Penn., July 22, 1855, and educated at the University of Penn. He was admitted to the Bar in 1877, and practised until 1884. After a course of theological studies he was ordained by the Presbytery of Philadelphia North, in 1888. His pastorate of the Church of the Redeemer, Germantown, Phila., extended from his ordination in 1888 to 1894, when he resigned and devoted himself to literary and Church work at Philadelphia. He edited the series of Hymnals authorised for use by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the U.S.A., as follows:— (1) The Hymnal, Phila., 1895; (2) The Chapel Hymnal, 1898; and (3) The School Hymnal, 1899. Dr. Benson's hymnological writings are somewhat extensive. They include:— (1) Hymns and Verses (original and translations), 1897; (2) The Best Church Hymns, 1898; (3) The Best Hymns, 1898; (4) Studies of Familiar Hymns, 1903, &c. Of his original hymns the following have come into American common use:— I. In The Hymnal, 1895:— 1. O Christ, Who didst our tasks fulfil. For Schools and Colleges. Written in 1894. 2. O risen Christ, Who from Thy throne. For Installation of a Pastor. Written in 1894. II. In The School Hymnal, 1899:— 3. A glory lit the wintry sky. Loneliness of Jesus. Written in 1897. 4. Happy town of Salem. Heaven. 5. Now the wintry days are o'er. Easter. 6. O sing a song of Bethlehem. Early Life of Jesus. 7. Open the door to the Saviour. Invitation. 8. Out of the skies, like angel eyes. Lullaby. 9. Who will teach me how to pray? Prayer. In Carey Bonner's Sunday School Hymnary, 1905:— 10. The sun is on the land and sea. Morning. 11. Our wilful hearts have gone astray. Penitence. 12. When I awake from slumber. Morning. Of the above, Nos. 1-4, 10-12 are from Hymns and Verses, 1897. In the above collection by C. Bonner, Nos. 1, 4, and 6 are also found. Of Dr. Benson's translations from the Latin one only is in common use. See "Plaudite coeli, Rideat aether." As a hymn writer Dr. Benson is not widely known, mainly through the recent publication of his verse. His hymns deserve attention, and will, no doubt, gain the public ear in due time; whilst his hymnological researches and publications are thorough and praiseworthy. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, New Supplement (1907)

Nolan Williams

Person Name: Nolan Williams, Jr. b. 1969 Topics: Worship and Adoration Arranger of "NICAEA" in African American Heritage Hymnal

Jan Struther

1901 - 1953 Person Name: Jan Struther, 1901-1953 Topics: Adoration and Praise Author of "Lord of All Hopefulness" in Hymns for a Pilgrim People Jan Struther, given name: Joyce Torrens-Graham [sic Joyce Anstruther] (b. Westminster, London, England, 1901; d. New York, NY, 1953) wrote many poems and essays under the pen name of Jan Struther (derived from her mother's maiden name, Eva Anstruther). In addition to her pen name, Struther also had the married names of Mrs. Anthony Maxtone Graham and, from a second marriage, Mrs. Adolf Kurt Placzek. During World War II she moved with her children to New York City and remained there until her death. In England she is best known for her novel Mrs. Miniver (1940), which consists of sketches of British family life before World War II. Immensely popular, the book was later made into a movie. Struther also wrote comic and serious poetry, essays, and short stories, published in Betsinda Dances and Other Poems (1931), Try Anything Twice (1938), The Glass Blower (1941), and, posthumously, The Children's Bells (1957). Songs of Praise (1931) included twelve of her hymn texts. Bert Polman

James G. Small

1817 - 1888 Topics: Adoration Author of "I've Found a Friend" in Sing Joyfully Small, James Grindly, son of George Small, J.P. of Edinburgh, was born in that city in 1817. He was educated at the High School, and the University of Edinburgh. He studied divinity under Dr. Chalmers, and in 1843 he joined the Free Church of Scotland. In 1847 he became the minister of the Free Church at Bervie, near Montrose. He died at Renfrew, Feb. 11, 1888. His poetical works were (1l) The Highlands and other Poems, 1843, 3rd ed. 1852; (2) Songs of the Vineyard in Days of Gloom and Sadness, 1846 ; (3) Hymns for Youthful Voices, 1859; (4) Psalms and Sacred Songs, 1866. His well-known hymn "I've found a Friend; oh such a Friend" (Jesus, the Friend), appeared in his Psalms & Sacred Songs, 1866. It is found in I. D. Sankey's Sacred Songs and Solos, 1878, and others. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)

Doris Akers

1923 - 1995 Topics: Adoration and Praise Holy Spirit Author of "Sweet, Sweet Spirit" in The New Century Hymnal Doris Mae Akers USA 1923-1995. Born at Brookfield, MO, one of nine siblings, her (inter-racial) parents divorced when she was age three. She then lived with her mother, who remarried when she was age six. They lived in Kirksville, MO. Some of her brothers lived with her father after the divorce. The family attended the Bethel AME Church in Kirksville, where she learned to play piano by ear at age six. She wrote her first song at age 10. In the 1930s she formed a singing gospel group with siblings, Edward, Marian, and Donald, who went by the name ‘Dot and the Swingsters’. Early in her career (1938) she moved to Los Angeles, CA. There she became known for her work with the ‘Sky Pilot Choir’, an integrated group that made recordings and appeared on Radio and TV across the country. Her fresh, modern arrangements of traditional negro spirituals drew large crowds from far and near, and increased her church’s attendance dramatically. Her choir group released three record albums. She recorded solos in 1963 and also collaborated with the Statemen Quartet in 1964. She ended working with the choir in 1965, but reunited with it again in 1974 to make a 4th recording for RCA Victor. In 1970 she moved to Columbus, OH, where she continued composing, recording, and traveling. In the 1980s she released a new gospel album each year on a regional Midwest label. She also released a few albums in Canada (not distributed in the U S). In the 1990s she began recording for the Gaither label and appeared in some of their TV productions and concerts. She was affectionately known as ‘Miss Gospel Music’, respected and admired by everyone in the gospel music business. By this time, she had mastered vocalization, keyboards, choir directing, arranging, composing, and publishing. She worked with many of the early pioneers in gospel music and authored gospel compositions, some selling millions of records for other performers and evangelists. In her final years she was Minister of Music at Grace Temple Deliverance Center, Minneapolis, MN. In 1994 she broke her ankle, and also discovered she had spinal cancer. She died at Edina, MN. She never married. She wrote 500+ songs. She received many awards over the years, including ‘Gospel Music Composer of the Year’ (for both years 1960 and 1961). In 1976, the city of Kirksville, MO, held “Doris Akers’ Day’, featuring her as the headline act, as part of the bicentennial celebration. Over 20,000 attended the celebration there. In 1992 she was honored by the Smithsonian Institution as ‘The Foremost Gospel Writer in the U S’. Her works include eight collections of music. In 2001 she was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame. In 2011 she was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame. John Perry

St. John of Damascus

675 - 787 Person Name: John of Damascus Topics: Adoration and Praise Author of "The Day of Resurrection" in The United Methodist Hymnal Eighth-century Greek poet John of Damascus (b. Damascus, c. 675; d. St. Sabas, near Jerusalem, c. 754) is especially known for his writing of six canons for the major festivals of the church year. John's father, a Christian, was an important official at the court of the Muslim caliph in Damascus. After his father's death, John assumed that position and lived in wealth and honor. At about the age of forty, however, he became dissatisfied with his life, gave away his possessions, freed his slaves, and entered the monastery of St. Sabas in the desert near Jerusalem. One of the last of the Greek fathers, John became a great theologian in the Eastern church. He defended the church's use of icons, codified the practices of Byzantine chant, and wrote about science, philosophy, and theology. Bert Polman ======================== John of Damascus, St. The last but one of the Fathers of the Greek Church, and the greatest of her poets (Neale). He was of a good family in Damascus, and educated by the elder Cosmas in company with his foster-brother Cosmas the Melodist (q. v.). He held some office under the Caliph. He afterwards retired to the laura of St. Sabas, near Jerusalem, along with his foster-brother. There he composed his theological works and his hymns. He was ordained priest of the church of Jerusalem late in life. He lived to extreme old age, dying on the 4th December, the day on which he is commemorated in the Greek calendar, either in his 84th or 100th year (circa 780). He was called, for some unknown reason, Mansur, by his enemies. His fame as a theologian rests on his work, the first part of which consists of philosophical summaries, the second dealing with heresies, and the third giving an account of the orthodox faith. His three orations in favour of the Icons, from which he obtained the name of Chrysorrhous and The Doctor of Christian Art, are very celebrated. The arrangement of the Octoechusin accordance with the Eight Tones was his work, and it originally contained no other Canons than his. His Canons on the great Festivals are his highest achievements. In addition to his influence on the form and music, Cardinal Pitra attributes to him the doctrinal character of the later Greek hymnody. He calls him the Thomas Aquinas of the East. The great subject round which his hymns are grouped is The Incarnation, developed in the whole earthly career of the Saviour. In the legendary life of the saint the Blessed Virgin Mary is introduced as predicting this work: the hymns of John of Damascus should eclipse the Song of Moses, rival the cherubim, and range all the churches, as maidens beating their tambours, round their mother Jerusalem (Pitra, Hymn. Grecque, p. 33). The legend illustrates not only the dogmatic cast of the hymns, but the introduction of the Theotokion and Staurotheotokion, which becomes the prevalent close of the Odes from the days of St. John of Damascus: the Virgin Mother presides over all. The Canons found under the name of John Arklas (one of which is the Iambic Canon at Pentecost) are usually attributed to St. John of Damascus, and also those under the name of John the Monk. Some doubt, however, attaches to the latter, because they are founded on older rhythmical models which is not the case with those bearing the name of the Damascene, and they are not mentioned in the ancient Greek commentaries on his hymns. One of these is the Iambic Canon for Christmas. His numerous works, both in prose and verse, were published by Le Quien, 1712; and a reprint of the same with additions by Migne, Paris, 1864. Most of his poetical writings are contained in the latter, vol. iii. pp. 817-856, containing those under the title Carmina; and vol. iii. pp. 1364-1408, the Hymni. His Canon of SS. Peter & Paul is in Hymnographie Grecque, by Cardinal Pitra, 1867. They are also found scattered throughout the Service Books of the Greek Church, and include Iambic Canons on the Birth of Christ, the Epiphany, and on Pentecost; Canons on Easter, Ascension, the Transfiguration, the Annunciation, and SS. Peter & Paul: and numerous Idiomela. In addition, Cardinal Mai found a manuscript in the Vatican and published the same in his Spicilegium Romanum, which contained six additional Canons, viz.: In St. Basilium; In St. Chrysostomum; In St. Nicolaum; In St. Petrum; In St. Georgium, and In St. Blasium. But M. Christ has urged grave objections to the ascription of these to St. John of Damascus (Anthologia Graeca Carminum Christorium, p. xlvii.). Daniel's extracts in his Thesaurus Hymnologicus, vol. iii. pp. 80, 97, extend to six pieces. Dr. Neale's translations of portions of these works are well known. [Rev. H. Leigh Bennett, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

Hubert P. Main

1839 - 1925 Topics: Worship Adoration and Praise; Adoration and Praise Arranger of "ELLESDIE" in The Hymnbook Hubert Platt Main DD USA 1839-1925. Born at Ridgefield, CT, he attended singing school as a teenager. In 1854 he went to New York City and worked as an errand boy in a wallpaper house. The next year he became an errand boy in the Bristow & Morse Piano Company. He was an organist, choir leader, and compiled books of music. He also helped his father edit the “Lute Songbook” by Isaac Woodbury. In 1866 he married Olphelia Louise Degraff, and they had two sons: Lucius, and Hubert. In 1867 he filled a position at William B Bradbury’s publishing house. After Bradbury’s death in 1868 the Bigelow & Main Publishers were formed as its successor. He also worked with his father until his father’s death in 1873. Contributors to their efforts were Fanny Crosby, Ira Sankey, Wilbur Crafts, and others. In addition to publishing, Main wrote 1000+ pieces of music, including part song, singing school songs, Sunday school music, hymns, anthems, etc. He also arranged music and collected music books. He 1891 he sold his collection of over 3500 volumes to the Newberry Library in Chicago, IL, where they were known as the Main Library. Some of his major publications include: “Book of Praise for the Sunday school” (1875), “Little pilgrim songs” (1884), “Hymns of Praise” (`1884), “Gems of song for the Sunday school” (1901), “Quartettes for men’s voices: Sacred & social selections” (1913). In 1922 Hope Publishing Company acquired Bigelow & Main. He was an editor, author, compiler, and composer, as well as publisher. He died in Newark, NJ. John Perry

W. G. Fischer

1835 - 1912 Person Name: William G. Fischer Topics: Adoration and Praise Composer of "HANKEY" in Voices United William Gustavus Fischer In his youth, William G. Fischer (b. Baltimore, MD, 1835; d. Philadelphia, PA, 1912) developed an interest in music while attending singing schools. His career included working in the book bindery of J. B. Lippencott Publishing Company, teaching music at Girard College, and co-owning a piano business and music store–all in Philadelphia. Fischer eventually became a popular director of music at revival meetings and choral festivals. In 1876 he conducted a thousand-voice choir at the Dwight L. Moody/Ira D. Sankey revival meeting in Philadelphia. Fischer composed some two hundred tunes for Sunday school hymns and gospel songs. Bert Polman

Roberta Martin

Person Name: Roberta Martin, 1912-1969 Topics: Worship and Adoration Arranger of "[Praise God from whom all blessings flow]" in Lead Me, Guide Me (2nd ed.)

William J. Maher

1823 - 1877 Person Name: William J. Maher, SJ, 1823-1877 Topics: Devotions Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament Composer of "ANIMA CHRISTI" in Journeysongs (3rd ed.)