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George J. Elvey

1816 - 1893 Person Name: George J. Elvey, 1816-1893 Composer of "ST. GEORGE" in Hymns for Youth George Job Elvey (b. Canterbury, England, 1816; d. Windlesham, Surrey, England, 1893) As a young boy, Elvey was a chorister in Canterbury Cathedral. Living and studying with his brother Stephen, he was educated at Oxford and at the Royal Academy of Music. At age nineteen Elvey became organist and master of the boys' choir at St. George Chapel, Windsor, where he remained until his retirement in 1882. He was frequently called upon to provide music for royal ceremonies such as Princess Louise's wedding in 1871 (after which he was knighted). Elvey also composed hymn tunes, anthems, oratorios, and service music. Bert Polman

Anonymous

Person Name: Anon. Author of "Swell the anthem, raise the song" in The School Hymnary In some hymnals, the editors noted that a hymn's author is unknown to them, and so this artificial "person" entry is used to reflect that fact. Obviously, the hymns attributed to "Author Unknown" "Unknown" or "Anonymous" could have been written by many people over a span of many centuries.

Johann Crüger

1598 - 1662 Person Name: J. Cruger Composer of "[Swell the anthem, raise the song]" in Lutheran Hymnal for the Sunday School Johann Crüger (b. Grossbriesen, near Guben, Prussia, Germany, 1598; d. Berlin, Germany, 1662) Crüger attended the Jesuit College at Olmutz and the Poets' School in Regensburg, and later studied theology at the University of Wittenberg. He moved to Berlin in 1615, where he published music for the rest of his life. In 1622 he became the Lutheran cantor at the St. Nicholas Church and a teacher for the Gray Cloister. He wrote music instruction manuals, the best known of which is Synopsis musica (1630), and tirelessly promoted congregational singing. With his tunes he often included elaborate accompaniment for various instruments. Crüger's hymn collection, Neues vollkomliches Gesangbuch (1640), was one of the first hymnals to include figured bass accompaniment (musical shorthand) with the chorale melody rather than full harmonization written out. It included eighteen of Crüger's tunes. His next publication, Praxis Pietatis Melica (1644), is considered one of the most important collections of German hymnody in the seventeenth century. It was reprinted forty-four times in the following hundred years. Another of his publications, Geistliche Kirchen Melodien (1649), is a collection arranged for four voices, two descanting instruments, and keyboard and bass accompaniment. Crüger also published a complete psalter, Psalmodia sacra (1657), which included the Lobwasser translation set to all the Genevan tunes. Bert Polman =============================== Crüger, Johann, was born April 9, 1598, at Gross-Breese, near Guben, Brandenburg. After passing through the schools at Guben, Sorau and Breslau, the Jesuit College at Olmütz, and the Poets' school at Regensburg, he made a tour in Austria, and, in 1615, settled at Berlin. There, save for a short residence at the University of Wittenberg, in 1620, he employed himself as a private tutor till 1622. In 1622 he was appointed Cantor of St. Nicholas's Church at Berlin, and also one of the masters of the Greyfriars Gymnasium. He died at Berlin Feb. 23, 1662. Crüger wrote no hymns, although in some American hymnals he appears as "Johann Krüger, 1610,” as the author of the supposed original of C. Wesley's "Hearts of stone relent, relent" (q.v.). He was one of the most distinguished musicians of his time. Of his hymn tunes, which are generally noble and simple in style, some 20 are still in use, the best known probably being that to "Nun danket alle Gott" (q.v.), which is set to No. 379 in Hymns Ancient & Modern, ed. 1875. His claim to notice in this work is as editor and contributor to several of the most important German hymnological works of the 16th century, and these are most conveniently treated of under his name. (The principal authorities on his works are Dr. J. F. Bachmann's Zur Geschichte der Berliner Gesangbücher 1857; his Vortrag on P. Gerhard, 1863; and his edition of Gerhardt's Geistliche Lieder, 1866. Besides these there are the notices in Bode, and in R. Eitner's Monatshefte für Musik-Geschichte, 1873 and 1880). These works are:— 1. Newes vollkömmliches Gesangbuch, Augspur-gischer Confession, &c, Berlin, 1640 [Library of St. Nicholas's Church, Berlin], with 248 hymns, very few being published for the first time. 2. Praxis pietatis melica. Das ist: Ubung der Gottseligkeit in Christlichen und trostreichen Gesängen. The history of this, the most important work of the century, is still obscure. The 1st edition has been variously dated 1640 and 1644, while Crüger, in the preface to No. 3, says that the 3rd edition appeared in 1648. A considerable correspondence with German collectors and librarians has failed to bring to light any of the editions which Koch, iv. 102, 103, quotes as 1644, 1647, 1649, 1650, 1651, 1652, 1653. The imperfect edition noted below as probably that of 1648 is the earliest Berlin edition we have been able to find. The imperfect edition, probably ix. of 1659, formerly in the hands of Dr. Schneider of Schleswig [see Mützell, 1858, No. 264] was inaccessible. The earliest perfect Berlin edition we have found is 1653. The edition printed at Frankfurt in 1656 by Caspar Röteln was probably a reprint of a Berlin edition, c. 1656. The editions printed at Frankfurt-am-Main by B. C. Wust (of which the 1666 is in the preface described as the 3rd) are in considerable measure independent works. In the forty-five Berlin and over a dozen Frankfurt editions of this work many of the hymns of P. Gerhardt, J. Franck, P. J. Spener, and others, appear for the first time, and therein also appear many of the best melodies of the period. 3. Geistliche Kirchen-Melodien, &c, Leipzig, 1649 [Library of St. Katherine's Church, Brandenburg]. This contains the first stanzas only of 161 hymns, with music in four vocal and two instrumental parts. It is the earliest source of the first stanzas of various hymns by Gerhardt, Franck, &c. 4. D. M. Luther's und anderer vornehmen geisU reichen und gelehrten Manner Geistliche Lieder und Psalmen, &c, Berlin, 1653 [Hamburg Town Library], with 375 hymns. This was edited by C. Runge, the publisher, and to it Crüger contributed some 37 melodies. It was prepared at the request of Luise Henriette (q.v.), as a book for the joint use of the Lutherans and the Re¬formed, and is the earliest source of the hymns ascribed to her, and of the complete versions of many hymns by Gerhardt and Franck. 5. Psalmodia Sacra, &c, Berlin, 1658 [Royal Library, Berlin]. The first section of this work is in an ed. of A. Lobwasser's German Psalter; the second, with a similar title to No. 4, and the date 1657, is practically a recast of No. 4,146 of those in 1653 being omitted, and the rest of the 319 hymns principally taken from the Praxis of 1656 and the hymn-books of the Bohemian Brethren. New eds. appeared in 1676, 1700, 1704, 1711, and 1736. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] -- Excerpt from John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907) ======================= Crüger, Johann, p. 271, ii. Dr. J. Zahn, now of Neuendettelsau, in Bavaria, has recently acquired a copy of the 5th ed., Berlin, 1653, of the Praxis. --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)

George Kingsley

1811 - 1884 Arranger of "MESSIAH" in The Evangelical Hymnal Born: July 7, 1811, Northampton, Massachusetts. Died: March 14, 1884, Northampton, Massachusetts. Kingsley played the organ at the Old South Church and Hollis Street Church in Boston, Massachusetts. He also taught music at Girard College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, served as music supervisor for public schools in Philadelphia, and compiled a number of music books, including: Sunday School Singing Book, 1832 The Harmonist, 1833 The Social Choir, 1836 The Sacred Choir, 1838 The Harp of David, 1844 The Young Ladies’ Harp, 1847 Templi Carmina (Northampton, Massachusetts: 1853) The Juvenile Choir, 1865 --www.hymntime.com/tch

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

1756 - 1791 Person Name: Mozart Composer of "AUBURN" in Book of Hymns and Tunes, comprising the psalms and hymns for the worship of God, approved by the general assembly of 1866, arranged with appropriate tunes... by authority of the assembly of 1873 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Austria 1756-1791. Born at Salzburg, Austria, the son of Leopold Mozart, a minor composer and violinist, and youngest of seven children, he showed amazing ability on violin and keyboard from earliest childhood, even starting to compose music at age four when his father would play a piece and Mozart would play it exactly as did his father. At five, he composed some of his own music, which he played to his father, who wrote it down. When Mozart was eight, he wrote his first symphony, probably transcribed by his father. In his early years his father was his only teacher, teaching his children languages and academic subjects, as well as fundamentals of their strict Catholic faith. Some of his early compositions came as a surprise to his father, who eventually gave up composing himself when he realized how talented his son was. His family made several European journeys and he and his sister, Nanneri, performed as child prodigies, at the court of Prince-elector Maximillian II of Bavaria in Munich, and at the Imperial Courts in Vienna and Prague. A long concert tour followed, for 3.5 years, taking the family to courts in Munich, Mannheim, Paris, London, Dover, The Hague, Amsterdam, Utrecht, Mechelen, and again to Paris, and back home via Zurich, Donaueschingen, and Munich. During these trips Mozart met many musicians, acquainting himself with the works of other composers. He met Johann Christian Bach in London in 1764. Family trips were challenging, and travel conditions were primitive. They had to wait for invitations and reimbursements from nobility, and they endured long, near-fatal illnesses far from home. First Leopold (1764) got sick, then both children (1765). They traveled again to Vienna in 1767 and stayed there over a year. After a year back in Salzburg, Leopold and Wolfgang went to Italy (1769-1771), Leopold wished to display his son’s abilities as a performer and maturing composer. In Bologna, Italy, Wolfgang was accepted as a member of the famous Academia Filamonica. In Rome he heard Gregorio Allegri’s Miserere twice in performance. Back in the Sistine Chapel, Mozart wrote the whole performance out from memory, thus producing the first unauthorized copy of this closely guarded property of the Vatican. In the next few years Mozart wrote several operas performed with success in Italy, but his father’s hopes of securing a professional appointment for his son were not realized. At age 17 he was engaged as a musician at the Salzburg court, but grew restless and traveled in search of a better position. After returning to Salzburg, Mozart was employed as a court musician by the ruler of Salzburg, Prince Archbishop Hieronymus Colloredo. This gave Mozart ample opportunity to develop relationships with other musicians and his admirers, resulting in his development of new symphonies, sonatas, string quartets, masses, serenades, and some minor operas. In 1775 he wrote his only violin concertos, five in all. Again, he was discontent with work in Salzburg and traveled to find more opportunity to write operas. He and his father again visited Munich and Vienna, but neither visit was successful with the exception of his opera ‘La finta giardiniera’ in Munich. In 1777 he resigned his Salzburg position and went to Augsburg, Mannheim, Paris, and Munich again. In Mannheim he met and fell in love with Aloysia Weber, one of four daughters of a musical family. He could find no real employment there and left for Paris in 1778. He might have had a position as organist at Versailles, but he was not interested in that. He fell into debt and started pawning valuables. During these events his mother died. Meanwhile his father was still trying to find him a position in Salzburg. After checking out several other European cities and Munich, he again encountered Aloysia, but she was no longer interested in him, so he returned to Salzburg, having written another symphony, concerto, and piano sonata, and took the new appointment his father had found. However, he was still in discontent. Visiting Vienna in 1781, he was dismissed from his Salzburg position. He wrote another opera, ‘Idomeneo’, in 1781, that was successful in Munich. Two months later he was summoned to Vienna, where his employer, Archbishop Colloredo, wanted him around due to his notoriety. Mozart wished to meet the emperor and perform for him, and finally got that opportunity. It resulted in a part-time position and substantial commissions. Colloredo became a nemesis to Mozart’s career, finally releasing Mozart from his employ with a literal kick in the pants, much against his father’s wishes. However, he was now independent. Mozart then decided to settle in Vienna as a free lance performer and composer. He lived with the Fridolin Weber family, who had moved from Mannheim to Vienna. Fridolin, the father, had died, and they were taking in lodgers to make ends meet. His career there went well, and he performed as a pianist before the Emperor, establishing himself as the finest keyboard player in Vienna. He wrote another opera in 1782, again achieving success. Mozart had now become a prolific and influential composer of the Classical period and was known throughout Europe. Aloysia was now married to actor, Joseph Lange, and Mozart’s interest shifted to her sister, Constanze. In 1782 he married Constanze Weber Mozart Nissen. The marriage started out with a brief separation, and there was a problem getting Mozart’s father’s permission, which finally came. They had six children, but only two survived infancy: Carl and Franz. He lived in Vienna and achieved some notoriety, composing many of his best-known symphonies, concertos, and operas. In 1782-83 he became intimately acquainted with Johann Sebastian Bach and George Friederic Handel, as his friend, Gottfried van Swieten, owned many manuscripts of the Baroque masters, which Mozart studied intently. He altered his style of composition as a result. That year Mozart and his wife visited his father and sister, and he composed a liturgical piece, a Mass, with a singing part for his wife. He also met Joseph Hadyn in Vienna in 1784 and they became friends. They even played together in a string quartet from time to time. Mozart wrote six quartets dedicated to Hadyn. In 1785 Hadyn told Leopold Mozart, “Your son is the greatest composer known to me by person and repute, he has taste, and what is more, the greatest skill in composition”. Over the next several years Mozart booked several piano concertos in various places as a sole performer to delighted audiences, making substantial remuneration for his work. He and his wife then adopted a more luxurious lifestyle. They moved to an expensive apartment and he bought a fine fortepiano and billiard table. They sent their son, Karl, to an expensive boarding school and also kept servants. In 1784 Mozart became a Freemason and even composed Masonic music. Over the next several years he did little operatic writing and focused on his career as a piano soloist and writer of concertos. He again began operatic collaboration in 1785, creating ‘The marriage of Figaro’, then ‘Don Giovanni’ in 1787. That year his father died. Also that year he obtained a steady post under Emperor Joseph II as his chamber composer. This was part-time employment that was important when hard times arrived. However, Joseph aimed at keeping Mozart from leaving Vienna for better work. The Austrio-Turkish War made life difficult for musicians, and his aristocracy support had declined. He moved to save on expenses, but that did not help much, and he was reduced to borrowing funds from his friends, and pleading for loans. During this period he produced his last three symphonies. In 1789 he then set up on a journey to Leipzig, Dresden, and Berlin hoping to improve his fortunes. In 1790 he was highly productive, producing concertos, an opera, ‘The magic flute’, a series of string quintets, a motet, and an (unfinished) Requiem. Finances began to improve and he begin paying back his debts. Public reaction to his works also brought him great satisfaction. In 1791, while in Prague for the premiere of his opera, ‘La clemenza di Tito’, he fell ill. He continued professional functions for a short time, but had to go home and be nursed by his wife over the next couple of months. He died at Vienna, Austria, at the age of 35, a small thin man with undistinguishing characteristics. He was buried in a modest grave, having had a small funeral. Beethoven composed his early works in the shadow of Mozart, and Joseph Hadyn wrote “posterity will not see such a talent (as Mozart) again in 100 years”. 600+ works. Side note: Mozart enjoyed billiards, dancing, and had a pet canary, a starling, a dog, and a horse for recreational riding. He liked off-color humor. He wore elegant clothing when performing and had a modest tenor voice. John Perry

Samuel Webbe

1740 - 1816 Person Name: S. Webbe Composer of "BENEVENTO" in Sacred Songs for School Use Samuel Webbe (the elder; b. London, England, 1740; d. London, 1816) Webbe's father died soon after Samuel was born without providing financial security for the family. Thus Webbe received little education and was apprenticed to a cabinetmaker at the age of eleven. However, he was determined to study and taught himself Latin, Greek, Hebrew, French, German, and Italian while working on his apprenticeship. He also worked as a music copyist and received musical training from Carl Barbant, organist at the Bavarian Embassy. Restricted at this time in England, Roman Catholic worship was freely permitted in the foreign embassies. Because Webbe was Roman Catholic, he became organist at the Portuguese Chapel and later at the Sardinian and Spanish chapels in their respective embassies. He wrote much music for Roman Catholic services and composed hymn tunes, motets, and madrigals. Webbe is considered an outstanding composer of glees and catches, as is evident in his nine published collections of these smaller choral works. He also published A Collection of Sacred Music (c. 1790), A Collection of Masses for Small Choirs (1792), and, with his son Samuel (the younger), Antiphons in Six Books of Anthems (1818). Bert Polman

E. J. Hopkins

1818 - 1901 Person Name: Edward John Hopkins Composer of "CULFORD" in Hymn and Tune Book of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South (Round Note Ed.) Dr Edward John Hopkins MusDoc United Kingdom 1818-1901. Born at Westminster, England, the son of a clarinetist with the Royal Opera House orchestra, he became an organist (as did two of his brothers) and a composer. In 1826 he became a chorister of the Chapel Royal and sang at the coronation of King William IV in Westminster Abbey. He also sang in the choir of St. Paul’s Cathedral, a double schedule requiring skill and dexterity. On Sunday evenings he would play the outgoing voluntary at St. Martin’s in-the-field. He left Chapel Royal in 1834 and started studying organ construction at two organ factories. He took an appointment at Mitcham Church as organist at age 16, winning an audition against other organists. Four years later he became organist at the Church of St. Peter, Islington. In 1841 he became organist at St. Luke’s, Berwick St., Soho. Two Years later he was organist at Temple Church, which had a historic organ (built in 1683). He held this position for 55 years. In 1845 he married Sarah Lovett, and they had four sons and five daughters. He was closely associated with the Bach Society and was organist for the first English performances of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion. In 1855 he collaborated with Edward Rimbault publishing “The organ, its history and construction” (3 editions 1855-70-77). In 1864 he was one of the founders of the “College of organists”. In 1882 he received an honorary Doctorate of Music from the Archbishop of Canterbury. He composed 30+ hymn tunes and some psalm chants, used by the Church of England. He died in London, England. John Perry

Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy

1809 - 1847 Person Name: F. Mendelssohn Bartholdy Composer of "THANKSGIVING" in The School Hymnary Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy (b. Hamburg, Germany, 1809; d. Leipzig, Germany, 1847) was the son of banker Abraham Mendelssohn and the grandson of philosopher Moses Mendelssohn. His Jewish family became Christian and took the Bartholdy name (name of the estate of Mendelssohn's uncle) when baptized into the Lutheran church. The children all received an excellent musical education. Mendelssohn had his first public performance at the age of nine and by the age of sixteen had written several symphonies. Profoundly influenced by J. S. Bach's music, he conducted a performance of the St. Matthew Passion in 1829 (at age 20!) – the first performance since Bach's death, thus reintroducing Bach to the world. Mendelssohn organized the Domchor in Berlin and founded the Leipzig Conservatory of Music in 1843. Traveling widely, he not only became familiar with various styles of music but also became well known himself in countries other than Germany, especially in England. He left a rich treasury of music: organ and piano works, overtures and incidental music, oratorios (including St. Paul or Elijah and choral works, and symphonies. He harmonized a number of hymn tunes himself, but hymnbook editors also arranged some of his other tunes into hymn tunes. Bert Polman

Ignaz Pleyel

1757 - 1831 Person Name: Ignace Pleyel Composer of "PLEYEL'S HYMN" in The Brethren Hymnody Ignaz Joseph Pleyel; b. Ruppertstahl, near Vienna, 1757; d. Parice France, 1831 Evangelical Lutheran Hymnal, 1908

Ferdinand Hérold

1791 - 1833 Person Name: Louis J. F. Herold Composer of "MESSIAH" in The Evangelical Hymnal Full name: Louis Joseph Ferdinand Hérold

Thomas Clark

1775 - 1859 Person Name: Thomas Clark, 1775-1859 Composer of "ESSEX" in The Baptist Standard Hymnal Baptized: February 5, 1775, Canterbury, Kent, England. Died: May 30, 1859, at his home in St. George’s Street, Canterbury, Kent, England. A cobbler and choir trainer, Clark led the singing of the Psalms at the Wesleyan Chapel, Canterbury, and later at the Unitarian Church in Canterbury. It has been claimed he never actually joined the Unitarians, though he sympathized with them, and he resigned from the Methodists. Clark wrote a number of anthems, including "Awake Up, My Glory", "Daughter of Zion" and "Since I Have Placed My Trust." His other works include: First Sett of Psalm and Hymn Tunes, 1805 Second Sett of Psalm and Hymn Tunes, circa 1810 Congregational Harmonist, 4 volumes (1828 to circa 1835) The Sacred Gleaner, 1830 The Union Tune-Book, 1837 (co-editor) Union Harmonist, 1841 Harmonized the second edition of the Union Tune Book for the Sunday School Union, 1842 The Juvenile Harmonist, 1842 David’s Harp—A Series of Original Tunes Composed Expressly to the Psalter, 1843 The Seraphim or Sacred Harmonist, 1843 British Psalmody, with Alexander Hume (Edinburgh, Scotland: 1844) --www.hymntime.com/tch/

Alexander Muir

1830 - 1906 Composer of "[In days of yore, from Britain's shore]" in International Praise Muir, Alexander. (fl.1867) Wrote and published "The Maple Leaf Forever" in 1867, just after Confederation, before Canada had taken in any territory where maple trees will not grow. He was principal of an elementary school in Toronto, Ontario, which was later renamed in his honor. --Hugh D. McKellar, DNAH Archives

John B. Wilkes

1785 - 1869 Composer of "[Swell the anthem, raise the song]" in The New Canadian Hymnal John Bernard Wilkes (1785-1869). Not to be confused with John Wilkes (?-1882).

W. T. Porter

Composer of "HATFIELD" in The Standard Church Hymnal

C. C. Case

1843 - 1918 Composer of "[Swell the anthem, raise the song]" in Hymns, Psalms and Gospel Songs Charles Clinton Case USA 1843-1918. Born in Linesville, PA, his family moved to Gustavus, OH, when he was four. His father was an accomplished violinist, but a neighbor gave him a small violin when he was nine, and he mastered it before he could read music. At age 16 he went to singing school (without parental consent), borrowing the money from a neighbor. C. A. Bentley, a prominent conductor, was his first vocal music instructor, and William Bradbury's “Jubilee” was the school textbook. For three winters in a row, he attended Bentley's singing school, working his father's farm in the summer. He married Annie Williams. In 1866 he studied music in Boston with B. F. Baker. He also studied under George Root, Horatio Palmer, Philip Bliss, George Webb, and others, hymnwriters in their own right. Soon after, Case began teaching music, and when James McGranahan moved two miles from his home, they became friends. Case wrote and edited a number of Gospel song books in his life. 6 works. John Perry

Alfred Beirly

Composer of "[Swell the anthem, raise the song]" in Jewels of Praise Dr. Alfred Beirly was the author of many song books: Great Joy!, 1881 Crowning Glory No. 1, 1889 Sovereign Choir No. 1, A Book of Easy Anthems, 1889 Beirly’s Memorial Songs No. 1, 1892 Beirly’s Jubilee Choir Vol. 2, 1892 Beirly’s Song Triumph, 1892 Beirly’s Festal Days, 1894 Golden Grain Nos. 1 and 2 Combined, 1894 Beirly’s School Songs for Public or Private Schools, Academies and Colleges, No. 1, 1896 Beirly’s National Singer, 1898 The Concert Master, 1899 Emmanuel, a Sacred Oratorio, 1892 A Greater Chicago (The Woman’s Temple, date unknown) The Song Wonder, 1907 A New Harbor for Chicago, 1908 NN, Hymnary editor. Source: http://www.hymntime.com/tch/bio/b/e/i/beirly_a.htm

D. S. Englewood

Composer of "[Swell the anthem, raise the song]" in Victory

Leonard Marshall

1809 - 1890 Person Name: L. M. Composer of "[Swell the anthem, raise the song]" in Sparkling Diamonds Marshall, Leonard. (Hudson, New Hampshire, May 3, 1809--July 1, 1890, Hudson, N.H.) Baptist. Voice pupil of John Paddon of London and Charles Zenner, harmonist. Tenor soloist of Handel and Haydn Society ca. 1844-1850. Music director at Twelfth Congregational Church, Boston, Massachusetts, 1836-1957; Bowdoin Square Baptist Church, ca.1867-1870; Harvard Street Baptist Church, ca.1870-1875, and other Boston churches. Chorus director at Tremont Temple, 1857-1867. Author of popular songs, "Don't Give Up the Ship" and "The Mountaineer," and of thirteen church music books; published The Sacred Star hymnal, 1861, Boston. Wrote words of Easter hymn commencing, "Jesus Christ, our precious Savior," and hymn "Ever gracious, loving Savior, Come and bless us from on high." --E.F. Quinn, DNAH Archives Note: Typewritten copy of obituary from the Boston Evening Transcript 3 July 1890, is in the DNAH Archives.

Fred A. Fillmore

1856 - 1925 Composer of "[Swell the anthem, raise the song]" in Heart Songs Born: May 15, 1856, Paris, Illinois. Died: November 15, 1925, Terrace Park, Ohio. Buried: Milford, Ohio. Frederick Augustus Fillmore, who was born on May 15, 1856, in Paris, IL, one of seven children, five sons and two daughters, born to Augustus Damon and Hannah Lockwood Fillmore. His father was a preacher in the Christian Church, as well as a composer, songbook compiler, and hymn publisher who developed his own system of musical notation using numbers on the staff in place of note heads. Augustus eventually settled in Cincinnati, OH, and established a music publishing business there. Until 1906, there was no official distinction between "Christian Churches" and "Churches of Christ." The names were used pretty much interchangeably, and many older churches of Christ which are faithful today were once known as "Christian Churches." Fred and his older brother James took over their father's publishing business following the death of Augustus in 1870 and established the Fillmore Brothers Music House. This became a successful Cincinnati music form, publishing church hymnals and later band and orchestral music. For many years the firm issued a monthly periodical, The Music Messenger. The brothers edited many hymnbooks and produced many songs which became popular. Beginning with the songbook Songs of Glory in 1874, there appeared many Fillmore publications which became widely used through churches, especially in the midwest. For these collections, Fred provided a great deal of hymn tunes. --launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/hymnoftheday

Nathan Strong

1748 - 1816 Person Name: Dr. N. Strong, 1748-1816 Author of "Swell the anthem, raise the song" in Methodist Hymn and Tune Book Strong, Nathan, D.D., a leading Congregational divine of his day, was born at Coventry, Connecticut, Oct. 16, 1748, and educated at Yale College, where he graduated in 1769. He first studied law, but soon turned his attention to the ministry. In January 1774 he became the Pastor of the First Congregational Church at Hartford, and remained there to his death in 1816. In 1796 he won much repute through his essay on The Doctrine of Eternal Misery consistent with the Infinite Benevolence of God. He founded The Connecticut Evangelical Magazine, in 1800, and also took a prominent part in establishing the Connecticut Home Mission Society in 1801. His degree of D.D. was conferred by the University of Princeton. His services to American hymnology, as the principal editor of the Hartford Selection, 1799, have been very great. As in that Selection the author's names were not given, most of his numerous contributions thereto cannot be identified. Six of these hymns, however, are reproduced in Nettleton's Village Hymns, 1824, with his name attached thereto. These are:— 1. Alas, alas, how blind I've been . The Sinner awakened. 2. Blest Lord, behold the guilty scorn . Prayer for opposers to Revivals. 3. Long have I walked this dreary road . The Sinner's Complaint. 4. Sinner, behold, I've heard thy groans . The Pardoning God. 5. Smote by the law, I'm justly slain . The Law, and the Gospel. 6. The summer harvest spreads the fields . The Great Harvest. In addition to these the following are from the Hartford Selection, 1799 (but not in the Village Hymns.) They are the best known and most widely used of Strong's hymns:— 7. Almighty Sovereign of the skies . National Thanksgiving. 8. Swell the anthem, raise the song . National Thanksgiving. [Rev. F. M. Bird, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

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