Ellerton, John

(Dec. 16, 1826-June 15, 1893). Hymn writer. He was born in London. He was educated at King William's College on the Isle of Man, and at Trinity College, Cambridge. Shortly after his ordination he began writing hymns for the children of St. Nicholas' Church, Brighton, where he was curate. While vicar of Grewe Green, Cheshire, he brought out Hymns for Schools and Bible Classes (1859). From 1876 to 1884 he was at Barnes, Surrey. While there he compiled Church Hymns with Notes and Illustrations (1881), The Children's Hymn Book (with Mrs. Carey Brock) (1881), and London Mission Hymn Book (1884). Ellerton made many contributions to the 1889 edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern. He died in Torquay. John Ellerton: Being a Collection of His Writings on Hymnology, Together with a Sketch of His Life and Works (1896) was edited by Henry Hausman, who had been his curate at Barnes. Seven of his original hymn texts appear in The Hymnal 1982, including “The day thou gavest, Lord, is ended” (24), and “Sing, ye faithful, sing with gladness” (492). He was also translator for two hymn texts in The Hymnal 1982, including “'Welcome, happy morning!' age to age shall say” (179).