February 12

On February 12, 5 anniversaries fall in the history of the hymns in this library: Benjamin Schmolck died in 1737; Johann Anastasius Freylinghausen died in 1739; Richard Mant was born in 1776; H. W. Baker died in 1877; Fanny Crosby died in 1915.

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.

Benjamin Schmolck, who died on this day in 1737, is remembered in this library for the hymns “My Jesus, as Thou wilt!”, “Come Thou with Us” and “Open Now Thy Gates of Beauty”.

Johann Anastasius Freylinghausen, who died on this day in 1739, is remembered in this library for the tune O DURCHBRECHER.

Richard Mant, who was born on this day in 1776, is remembered in this library for the hymns “Round the Lord in Glory Seated”, “For all Thy Saints, O Lord” and “Lord, Thy Glory Fills the Heaven”.

H. W. Baker, who died on this day in 1877, is remembered in this library for the hymns “The King of Love My Shepherd Is”, “O God of love, O King of peace” and “Of the Father's Love Begotten”.

Fanny Crosby, who died on this day in 1915, is remembered in this library for the hymns “Blessed Assurance”, “Pass Me Not” and “Near the Cross”.

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.