John Ellerton
Encyclopedia
The Rev. John Ellerton (16 December 1826 – 15 June 1893) was a hymn writer and hymnologist.
, Middlesex
, England, to George Ellerton, the head of an Evangelical family. He was educated at King William's College
on the Isle of Man
, and Trinity College, Cambridge
, (B.A. 1849; M.A. 1854), where he came under the influence of Frederick D. Maurice. He died in Torquay
, Devon
, England.
, Sussex
. In 1852, he was in Brighton
, and Lecturer of St. Peter's, Brighton. In 1860, he became chaplain for Lord Crewe and vicar of Crewe Green
, about thirty miles southeast of Liverpool. He became chairman of the education committee at the Mechanics Institute for the Railway Company. Reorganizing the Institute, he made it one of the most successful in England. He taught classes in English and Bible History. He also organized one of the first Choral Associations of the Midlands. In 1872 he became Rector of Hinstock
. In 1876, he was transferred to Barnes, (then in Surrey
), a western suburb of London. The large population broke him down and he had to go abroad for a year. Chaplain at Pegli
from 1884-1885. After returning, he took a smaller parish in White Roding in 1886, his last. During his final illness, he was given the honorary title of Canon of St. Albans Cathedral.
and others of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (SPCK) Church Hymns, 1871. His Notes and Illustrations of Church Hymns were published in the folio edition of 1881.
Ellerton wrote or translated eighty six or more hymns.
Life
He was born in ClerkenwellClerkenwell
Clerkenwell is an area of central London in the London Borough of Islington. From 1900 to 1965 it was part of the Metropolitan Borough of Finsbury. The well after which it was named was rediscovered in 1924. The watchmaking and watch repairing trades were once of great importance...
, Middlesex
Middlesex
Middlesex is one of the historic counties of England and the second smallest by area. The low-lying county contained the wealthy and politically independent City of London on its southern boundary and was dominated by it from a very early time...
, England, to George Ellerton, the head of an Evangelical family. He was educated at King William's College
King William's College
King William's College is a leading world International Baccalaureate HMC independent school for ages 3 to 18, situated near Castletown on the Isle of Man...
on the Isle of Man
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
, and Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
, (B.A. 1849; M.A. 1854), where he came under the influence of Frederick D. Maurice. He died in Torquay
Torquay
Torquay is a town in the unitary authority area of Torbay and ceremonial county of Devon, England. It lies south of Exeter along the A380 on the north of Torbay, north-east of Plymouth and adjoins the neighbouring town of Paignton on the west of the bay. Torquay’s population of 63,998 during the...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, England.
Service
Taking orders in 1850, he was Curate of EasebourneEasebourne
Easebourne is a village and civil parish in the Chichester District of West Sussex, England. It is located half a mile north of Midhurst, across the River Rother on the A272 and A286 roads. The parish also includes the hamlet of Henley to the north...
, Sussex
Sussex
Sussex , from the Old English Sūþsēaxe , is an historic county in South East England corresponding roughly in area to the ancient Kingdom of Sussex. It is bounded on the north by Surrey, east by Kent, south by the English Channel, and west by Hampshire, and is divided for local government into West...
. In 1852, he was in Brighton
Brighton
Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
, and Lecturer of St. Peter's, Brighton. In 1860, he became chaplain for Lord Crewe and vicar of Crewe Green
Crewe Green
Crewe Green is a small village and civil parish in the unitary authority of Cheshire East and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. The village lies 1½ miles to the east of the centre of Crewe...
, about thirty miles southeast of Liverpool. He became chairman of the education committee at the Mechanics Institute for the Railway Company. Reorganizing the Institute, he made it one of the most successful in England. He taught classes in English and Bible History. He also organized one of the first Choral Associations of the Midlands. In 1872 he became Rector of Hinstock
Hinstock
Hinstock is a village and civil parish in Shropshire, England.It appeared in the Domesday book survey as "Stoche" ; the present version of its name was created in the mediaeval period by prefixing Middle English hine .Hinstock is approximately halfway between the market towns of Newport and Market...
. In 1876, he was transferred to Barnes, (then in Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
), a western suburb of London. The large population broke him down and he had to go abroad for a year. Chaplain at Pegli
Pegli
Pegli is a neighbourhood in the west of Genoa, Italy.With a mild climate and a sea promenade, Pegli is mainly a residential area with four public parks and several villas and mansions. It is also known as a tourist resort with some hotels, camping and bathing establishments...
from 1884-1885. After returning, he took a smaller parish in White Roding in 1886, his last. During his final illness, he was given the honorary title of Canon of St. Albans Cathedral.
Published works
He was best known as a hymnologist, editor, hymn-writer and translator. He published Hymns for Schools and Bible Classes in Brighton in 1859. Co-editor with Bishop HowWilliam Walsham How
William Walsham How was an English bishop.The son of a Shrewsbury solicitor, How was educated at Shrewsbury School, Wadham College, Oxford and University College, Durham. He was ordained in 1846, and for upwards of thirty years was actively engaged in parish work at Whittington in Shropshire and...
and others of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (SPCK) Church Hymns, 1871. His Notes and Illustrations of Church Hymns were published in the folio edition of 1881.
Ellerton wrote or translated eighty six or more hymns.
- The day Thou gavest, Lord, is ended.
- Saviour, again to thy dear name we raise
- This is the day of light
- Behold us, Lord, a little space
- God the Almighty one! King who ordainest (stanzas 1&2 by Henry F. Chorley, 3-5 by Ellerton)
- Now the laborer's task is o'er.
- Week-day Worship