December 13

On December 13, 5 anniversaries fall in the history of the hymns in this library: Christian Fürchtegott Gellert died in 1769; Edwin George Monk was born in 1819; William Walsham How was born in 1823; Phillips Brooks was born in 1835; E. O. Excell was born in 1851.

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.

Christian Fürchtegott Gellert, who died on this day in 1769, is remembered in this library for the hymn “Jesus Lives! Thy Terrors Now”.

Edwin George Monk, who was born on this day in 1819, is remembered in this library for the tune ANGEL VOICES (MONK).

William Walsham How, who was born on this day in 1823, is remembered in this library for the hymns “O Jesus, Thou Art Standing”, “For all the Saints, who from their labor rest” and “We Give Thee But Thine Own”.

Phillips Brooks, who was born on this day in 1835, is remembered in this library for the hymn “O Little Town of Bethlehem”.

E. O. Excell, who was born on this day in 1851, is remembered in this library for the hymn “Since I Have Been Redeemed”.

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.