William Whiting (1 November 1825 – 3 May 1878) was an English writer and

hymnist A hymnwriter (or hymn writer, hymnist, hymnodist, hymnographer, etc.) is someone who writes the text, music, or both of hymns. In the Judeo-Christian tradition, the composition of hymns dates back to before the time of David, who composed many of ...

, best known for his 1860 hymn "

Eternal Father, Strong to Save "Eternal Father, Strong to Save" is a British hymn traditionally associated with seafarers, particularly in the maritime armed services. Written in 1860, its author, William Whiting, was inspired by the dangers of the sea described in Psal ...

" (often called "The Navy Hymn", used by the Royal Navy for church services and later adopted by the US Navy). He was born in

Kensington Kensington is a district in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in the West End of London, West of Central London. The district's commercial heart is Kensington High Street, running on an east–west axis. The north-east is taken up b ...

England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...

, and educated at ClaphamSongs of Praise Discussed (1933,1952) p.525 and

Winchester College Winchester College is a public school (fee-charging independent day and boarding school) in Winchester, Hampshire, England. It was founded by William of Wykeham in 1382 and has existed in its present location ever since. It is the oldest of the ...

. Because of his musical ability, he became master of

Winchester College Choristers' School Winchester is a cathedral city in Hampshire, England. The city lies at the heart of the wider City of Winchester, a local government district, at the western end of the South Downs National Park, on the River Itchen. It is south-west of Londo ...

. While best known for "Eternal Father, Strong to Save", Whiting also published two poetry collections: ''Rural Thoughts'' (1851) and ''Edgar Thorpe, or the Warfare of Life'' (1867). He died at

Winchester Winchester is a City status in the United Kingdom, cathedral city in Hampshire, England. The city lies at the heart of the wider City of Winchester, a local government Districts of England, district, at the western end of the South Downs Nation ...

References

External links

William Whiting
at CyberHymnal.org. English hymnwriters English male poets 1825 births 1878 deaths {{England-writer-stub