October 20

On October 20, 2 anniversaries fall in the history of the hymns in this library: Horatio Gates Spafford was born in 1828; Mary A. Lathbury died in 1913.

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.

Horatio Gates Spafford, who was born on this day in 1828, is remembered in this library for the hymn “When Peace, Like a River”.

Mary A. Lathbury, who died on this day in 1913, is remembered in this library for the hymns “Break Thou the Bread of Life” and “Day Is Dying in the West”.

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.