October 17

On October 17, 3 anniversaries fall in the history of the hymns in this library: Elizabeth Scott was born in 1708; John Bowring was born in 1792; Julia Ward Howe died in 1910.

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.

Elizabeth Scott, who was born on this day in 1708, is remembered in this library for the hymns “A Morning Hymn”, “Joyful Homage” and “Awake our drowsy souls”.

John Bowring, who was born on this day in 1792, is remembered in this library for the hymns “In the Cross of Christ”, “Watchman, Tell Us of the Night” and “God Is Love”.

Julia Ward Howe, who died on this day in 1910, is remembered in this library for the hymn “Battle Hymn of the Republic”.

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.