February 21

On February 21, 6 anniversaries fall in the history of the hymns in this library: John Henry Newman was born in 1801; Lucy E. Akerman was born in 1816; George Hunt Smyttan died in 1870; Lucy E. Akerman died in 1874; John Hullah died in 1884; James P. Harding died in 1911.

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 Henry Newman, who was born on this day in 1801, is remembered in this library for the hymn “Now that the Sun Is Beaming Bright”.

Lucy E. Akerman, who was born on this day in 1816, is remembered in this library for the hymn “Nothing But Leaves”.

George Hunt Smyttan, who died on this day in 1870, is remembered in this library for the hymn “Forty Days and Forty Nights”.

Lucy E. Akerman, who died on this day in 1874, is remembered in this library for the hymn “Nothing But Leaves”.

John Hullah, who died on this day in 1884, is remembered in this library for the tune SELLINGE.

James P. Harding, who died on this day in 1911, is remembered in this library for the tune MORNING STAR.

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.