William Cowper (pronounced "Cooper"; b. Berkampstead, Hertfordshire, England, 1731; d. East Dereham, Norfolk, England, 1800) is regarded as one of the best early Romantic poets. To biographers he is also known as "mad Cowper." His literary talents produced some of the finest English hymn texts, but his chronic depression accounts for the somber tone of many of those texts. Educated to become an attorney, Cowper was called to the bar in 1754 but never practiced law. In 1763 he had the opportunity to become a clerk for the House of Lords, but the dread of the required public examination triggered his tendency to depression, and he attempted suicide. His subsequent hospitalization and friendship with Morley and Mary Unwin provided emotional st… Go to person page >
Stuart Edmund McNair (March 8, 1867 – January 10, 1959) was an English-born missionary and hymnist whose most significant work was carried out in Brazil.
Born in Brighton, England, and raised in Croydon, McNair was influenced early in life by the biblical teaching of John Nelson Darby. Trained as a civil engineer, he devoted himself to Christian ministry. In 1891 he moved to Lisbon, Portugal, where he became involved in evangelical work and contributed to the development of the hymnal later known as Hinos e Cânticos.
McNair arrived in Brazil in 1896 and engaged in extensive evangelistic and teaching ministry, particularly in the states of Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, and Espírito Santo. He traveled widely, established Bible Schoo… Go to person page >
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