William James Kirkpatrick was
born in 1838 to a musical
family. In 1854 he went to
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to
study music and carpentry.
During the Civil War, he
served as a fife major with
the 91st Regiment Pennsylvania
Volunteers. Following the war
he was connected with the
furniture industry, but at the
death of his first wife he
left that occupation and
devoted himself entirely to
his music ministry.
He was affiliated with the
Wharton Street Methodist
Episcopal Church in
Philadelphia. As there were
few church organs at that
time, his violin and cello
were in demand for choir
rehearsal, singing societies
and church programs. He also
conducted music at camp
meetings and musical
conventions.
He published his first
collection, Devotional
Melodies (1859), at the age of
21. He went on to compile
about 100 books. He wrote the
music to many gospel songs.
After his death, his second
wife assigned the rights to
1049 of his hymns to Hope
Publishing Co, which was only
part his total output. Other
works he published were: The
Wells of Salvation: Songs for
the Sabbath School (1881),
Winning Songs (1892), Songs of
Love and Praise, No. 3 (1896),
and Glorious Praise, (1904). Text source : Wikipedia (Hide extended text) ... (Read all)
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