August 12

On August 12, 5 anniversaries fall in the history of the hymns in this library: Thomas MacKellar was born in 1812; Ellen M. H. Gates was born in 1835; Joseph Barnby was born in 1838; Henry K. Oliver died in 1885; James Russell Lowell died in 1891.

Each date below is given only where two independent sources — Hymnary.org and Wikidata — agree on the year, and the day itself comes from Wikidata. Dates before the 1750s are given as they were recorded at the time, in the Old Style calendar where that was in use.

Thomas MacKellar, who was born on this day in 1812, is remembered in this library for the hymn “In the Vineyard of Our Father”.

Ellen M. H. Gates, who was born on this day in 1835, is remembered in this library for the hymns “Home of the Soul” and “Your Mission”.

Joseph Barnby, who was born on this day in 1838, is remembered in this library for the tunes GALILEAN and MERRIAL.

Henry K. Oliver, who died on this day in 1885, is remembered in this library for the tune FEDERAL STREET.

James Russell Lowell, who died on this day in 1891, is remembered in this library for the hymn “Once to Every Man and Nation”.

Follow a name to read about the writer or composer and to sing their hymns, with the words, chords where we have them, and free accompaniment.