Wikipedia Biography
Elisha James King (1821-1844) was, with B. F. White, the compiler of The Sacred Harp, a shape note hymnbook that came to be used widely in the rural South. In revised form, the book continues to be popular among singers to this day. Little is known about King's short life. Steel (2010) suggests that he mostly likely was born in Wilkinson County, Georgia; his parents were named John King and Elizabeth Dubose. The family moved in 1828 to Talbot County. E. J. King worked as a farmer and also taught singing to others. The Sacred Harp was first published in 1844; King died 31 August of the same year.
Wikipedia Biography