Richard Storrs Willis (1819 - 1900) was an American composer, notably of hymn music. He atÂtendÂed ChaunÂcey Hall, the BosÂton LaÂtin School, and Yale College where he was a member of Skull & Bones in 1841.
He then went to GerÂmaÂny, where he stuÂdied six years unÂder Xavier SchnyÂder and MoÂritz HauptÂmann. While there, he beÂcame a perÂsonÂal friend of FeÂlix MenÂdelsÂsohn. AfÂter reÂturnÂing to AmerÂiÂca, WilÂlis served as muÂsic criÂtic for the New York TribÂune, The AlÂbiÂon, and The MuÂsicÂal Times, and edited The MuÂsicÂal Times (1852-64). Born in Boston, Massachusetts, he traveled to Germany and studied music composition there for six years.
Additionally, he was a newspaper critic and a music journal editor.
His works and music compilations include:
Church Chorals and Choir Studies (1850)
Our Church Music (1856)
Waif of Song (1876)
Pen and Lute (1883)
One of his better known hymns is It Came upon the Midnight Clear (1850), lyrics by Edmund Sears.
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