John Bacchus Dykes (1823 to 1876)
Church of England
Hymns Ancient and Modern.
John Bacchus Dykes was born in Hull, England. He revealed unusual musical talent at an early age. At age 10, he was playing the organ in the church at Hull, where his grandfather was minister. Completing a good education, he was ordained an Anglican clergyman, and wrote the music for nearly 300 hymns, many of which first appeared in Hymns Ancient and Modern. Among those hymn tunes which are still well known are "Holy, Holy, Holy," "Lead, Kindly Light," "Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee," "I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say," and "The King of Love My Shepherd Is."