December 17

On December 17, 3 anniversaries fall in the history of the hymns in this library: John Greenleaf Whittier was born in 1807; Phoebe Palmer was born in 1807; Frank Mason North died in 1935.

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.

John Greenleaf Whittier, who was born on this day in 1807, is remembered in this library for the hymns “Dear Lord and Father of Mankind”, “Immortal Love, for ever full” and “A Present Savior”.

Phoebe Palmer, who was born on this day in 1807, is remembered in this library for the hymn “The Cleansing Wave”.

Frank Mason North, who died on this day in 1935, is remembered in this library for the hymn “Where Cross the Crowded Ways of Life”.

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.