September 7

On September 7, 5 anniversaries fall in the history of the hymns in this library: Johann Olearius was born in 1611; Johann Jakob Schütz was born in 1640; George Nelson Allen was born in 1812; John Greenleaf Whittier died in 1892; Jane Borthwick died in 1897.

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.

Johann Olearius, who was born on this day in 1611, is remembered in this library for the hymn “Comfort, comfort ye my people”.

Johann Jakob Schütz, who was born on this day in 1640, is remembered in this library for the hymn “Sing Praise to God Who Reigns Above”.

George Nelson Allen, who was born on this day in 1812, is remembered in this library for the tune MAITLAND.

John Greenleaf Whittier, who died on this day in 1892, is remembered in this library for the hymns “Dear Lord and Father of Mankind”, “Immortal Love, for ever full” and “A Present Savior”.

Jane Borthwick, who died on this day in 1897, is remembered in this library for the hymns “My Jesus, as Thou wilt!” and “Jesu, Still Lead On”.

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.