Christopher Wordsworth

1807-1885

Born: October 30, 1807, Bocking, England. Died: March 20, 1885, Lincoln, England.

Nephew of poet William Wordsworth, Christopher was both a scholar and athlete in his student days. Later, he served as headmaster of Harrow Boys School (1836-1850), which Winston Churchill would attend a century or so later. Wordsworth was also vicar at Stanford-in-the-Vale, Berkshire (1850-1869), and archdeacon of Westminster, and became bishop of Lincoln in 1868. A recognized Greek scholar, he also wrote theological and other works. Of his hymns, he said, “It is the first duty of a hymn to teach sound doctrine and thence to save souls.” His works include:

• Athens and Attica, 1836
• Ancient Writings Copied from the Walls of Pompeii, 1837
• Greece, Pictoral, Descriptive, and Historical, 1839
• Theophilus Anglicanus, 1843
• On the Canon of the Scriptures, 1848
• Memoirs of William Wordsworth, 1851
• The Holy Year; or Hymns for Sundays and Holydays throughout the Year, And for other Occasions, 1863

Hymns:

1. Arm These Thy Soldiers, Mighty Lord
2. Day Is Gently Sinking to a Close, The
3. Gracious Spirit, Holy Ghost
4. Grave Itself a Garden Is, The
5. Hallelujah! Christ Is Risen
6. Hark! the Sound of Holy Voices
7. Hearts to Heaven and Voices Raise
8. Holy, Holy, Holy Lord
9. O Day of Rest and Gladness
10. See, the Conqueror Mounts in Triumph
11. Sing, O Sing, This Blessed Morn
12. Songs of Thankfulness and Praise