Keble, John

(Apr. 25, 1792-Mar. 29, 1866). One of the initiators of the Oxford (Tractarian) Movement in England. He was an Anglican priest and professor of poetry at Oriel College, Oxford. In 1833 he preached the sermon on “National Apostasy” before the Judges of Assize in the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Oxford. This sermon defended the church, especially in view of the proposed suppression of ten Irish bishoprics by the civil government. This sermon by Keble is generally regarded as the beginning of the Oxford Movement. Keble wrote seven of the “Tracts for the Times.” He also published The Christian Year (1827), a collection of poems for the Sundays and holy days of the year. This collection was the source of several popular hymn texts. The Hymnal 1982 has two texts by Keble, including stanzas one and three of “Blest are the pure in heart” (Hymn 656) and “New every morning” (Hymn 10). Keble College, Oxford, was founded in his memory in 1870. Keble's life is commemorated in the Episcopal calendar of the church year on Mar. 29.