Routley, Erik

(1917-1982). A British Reformed Church minister, composer, hymn writer, hymnal editor, and teacher. He was born in Brighton, Sussex, England, and educated at Lancing College and Mansfield College, Oxford. He was one of the most influential hymnodists of his time. He served as minister of Congregational and reformed churches in England and Scotland. At various times from 1948 to 1959, he served as tutor in church history, Mackennal Lecturer in Church History, chaplain, librarian and director of music at Mansfield College. His involvement in the Dunblane Consultations (1961-1969) was very influential in starting the movement that changed the face of contemporary English hymnody. Routley moved to the United States in 1975 to be visiting lecturer and director of music at Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, New Jersey. In 1976 he became professor of church music at Westminster Choir College, Princeton. Throughout his adult life he was involved as a committee member or as an editor of several important hymnals in both England and the United States. Routley was also a prolific author of church music and theology. He served as a reader consultant of texts being proposed for inclusion in The Hymnal 1982. Routley died in Nashville in 1982. He is the author of two hymn texts in The Hymnal 1982, “New songs of celebration render” (413) and “All who love and serve your city” (570-571). He is also the composer of four hymn tunes, including Augustine, used with “Let all the world in every corner sing” (402) and Sharpthorne, used with “What does the Lord require” (605).