Christopher
Wordsworth
Born:
October 30, 1807, Bocking, Essex, England.
Died:
March 20, 1885, Lincoln, England.
Buried:
In the graveyard of the church at Riseholme College, north of Lincoln.
Christopher Wordsworth was a nephew of the renowned English poet, William
Wordsworth. Christopher was both a scholar and athlete in his student days.
Later, he served as headmaster of Harrow Boys School (1836-1850), which
Winston Churchill would attend a century or so later. Wordsworth was also vicar
at Stanford-in-the-Vale, Berkshire (1850-1869), and archdeacon of Westminster,
and became bishop of Lincoln in 1868. A recognized Greek scholar, he also wrote
theological and other works. Of his hymns, he said, “It is the first duty of a
hymn to teach sound doctrine and thence to save souls.” His works include:
- Athens and
Attica, 1836
- Ancient Writings
Copied from the Walls of Pompeii, 1837
- Greece, Pictoral,
Descriptive, and Historical, 1839
- Theophilus
Anglicanus, 1843
- On the Canon of
the Scriptures, 1848
- Memoirs of
William Wordsworth, 1851
- Commentary on
the Whole Bible, 1856-70
- The Holy Year;
or Hymns for Sundays and Holydays Throughout the Year, and for Other
Occasions, 1863
- Church History,
1881-83
Hymns
- Arm These Thy
Soldiers, Mighty Lord
- Day is Gently
Sinking to a Close, The
- Father of All, from
Land and Sea
- Gracious Spirit,
Holy Ghost
- Grave Itself a
Garden Is, The
- Hallelujah! Christ
is Risen
- Hark! The Sound of
Holy Voices
- Hearts to Heaven and
Voices Raise
- Heav'nly Father,
Send Thy Blessing
- Holy, Holy, Holy
Lord
- Lord, Be Thy Word My
Rule
- O
Day of Rest and Gladness
- O Lord, Our Strength
in Weakness
- See, the Conqueror
Mounts in Triumph
- Sing, O Sing, This
Blessed Morn
- Songs of
Thankfulness and Praise