December 9

On December 9, 4 anniversaries fall in the history of the hymns in this library: John Milton was born in 1608; S. Y. Harmer was born in 1809; George Nelson Allen died in 1877; George J. Elvey died in 1893.

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 Milton, who was born on this day in 1608, is remembered in this library for the hymn “Let Us With a Gladsome Mind”.

S. Y. Harmer, who was born on this day in 1809, is remembered in this library for the hymn “The Christian's Rest”.

George Nelson Allen, who died on this day in 1877, is remembered in this library for the tune MAITLAND.

George J. Elvey, who died on this day in 1893, is remembered in this library for the tunes DIADEMATA and ST. GEORGE'S WINDSOR.

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.