Samuel Sebastian Wesley
Born: August 14, 1810, London, England.
Died: April 19, 1876, Gloucester, England.
Buried: Exeter, England.
The surname "Wesley" was passed down to him as a grandson of Charles
Wesley, one of the most prolific hymn writers in history. But Samuel Sebastian
Wesley was the illegitimate son of Charles Wesley's own son Samuel, who
maintained a long term relationship with Sarah Suter but never married her. In
an age when illegitimacy carried heavy social consequences, the younger Samuel
Wesley could certainly have chosen to be consumed with bitterness. Instead, he
lived his entire life devoted to service through music. Samuel’s musical
career began as a choir boy in the Chapel Royal and St. Paul’s.
By the age of 16, Samuel Wesley had become a church organist
and began writing sacred music. He is known by many as the first great composer
of sacred music in the Victorian era. His career would take him through Hereford
(where he eloped with the Dean’s daughter), Exeter, Leeds, Winchester and
Gloucester, England. In addition, he taught at the Royal Academy, beginning in
1850. He wrote about 38 anthems, and worked on many hymns.
Wesley, like his paternal grandfather, was outspoken for the
need of reform in church music, which no doubt led to a number of
confrontations.
Hymn: