John Milton, one of the greatest of English poets, is known to hymnologists as the Puritan author of 19 versions of various Psalms, which appeared in his Poems in English and Latin, 1673. Milton was born in London in 1608 and died in the same city in 1674. He was educated at Cambridge. In 1652 he became totally blind – a condition that did not keep him from writing such works as the epic “Paradise Lost.”
Albert Midlane, an English layman, was born in Newport, Isle of Wight in 1825. During his lifetime he wrote over 800 hymns. He attributed his interest in and contributions to hymnology to the suggestion and encouragement of a favorite Sunday school teacher.
Samuel Medley, a Baptist minister, was born in Hertfordshire, England in 1738. He joined the navy and was severely wounded. During his recovery, someone read to him a sermon by Dr. Isaac Watts, which led to his conversion. After his recovery, he entered the ministry. For the last 27 years of his life, he was the influential pastor of a large Baptist Church in Liverpool.
William McDonald, a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church, was born in Belmont, Maine in 1820. He served various pastoral charges in the North and West and was, for several years, the editor of the Christian Witness. From 1870 until his death he did much evangelistic work.
Henry Francis Lyte, a clergyman in the Church of England, was born in Kelso, Scotland in 1793. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin where he graduated in 1814. During his college career he won the prize for the best English poem on three occasions.
Thomas Toke Lynch, an English Congregational minister, was born in Essex, England in 1818. He was pastor of a small church at Highgate until illness forced his retirement for three years (1856-1859). He resumed pastoral relations in 1860 with his former parishioners – who completed a new place of worship (Mornington Church) on Hampstead Road, London in 1862.
Martin Luther, the hero of the Reformation, was born in the village of Eisleben in 1483. He entered the University at Erfurt in 1501 and graduated with honors. In 1505 he entered an Augustinian monastery at Erfurt and was consecrated to the priesthood in 1507. He was a diligent scholar and in 1508 was called to the chair of Philosophy at the University of Wittenberg.
Mary Artemisia Lathbury was born in Manchester, New York in 1841. After graduating from school she became an art teacher and later engaged in editorial work. She contributed a number of hymns to the Methodist Hymnal; including her best-known work, “Break Thou the Bread of Life.”
Thomas Ken, a bishop of the Church of England, was born in Berkhampstead, England in 1637. He was educated at Winchester School and Oxford University, graduating in 1661. With six other bishops he refused to publish the “Declaration of Indulgence” issued by James II in 1688 and was imprisoned in the Tower of London. After his release he spent the rest of his life writing hymns and devotional works. He died in 1711.
Thomas Kelly was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1769. He graduated from Trinity College, Dublin University and entered the ministry of the Established Church. His evangelical preaching proved too strong for the Established Church and he was forbidden by Archbishop Fowler to preach in the city. He became an Independent and preached in various Dublin locations for more than sixty years.