Kirkpatrick, William J(ames)

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Kirkpatrick, William J(ames)

Kirkpatrick, William J(ames), American composer of hymns and compiler of Sunday school and gospel hymnbooks; b. Duncannon, Pa., Feb. 27, 1838; d. Germantown, Pa., Sept. 20, 1921. He received music training from Pasquale Rondinella, Leopold Meignen, T. Bishop, and David Wood. He taught music in Philadelphia and became active in the Methodist church. From 1878 he collaborated with John R. Sweeney in compiling some 50 songbooks and collections of sacred services. Millions of copies of their publications were issued. Among Kirkpatrick’s most popular hymns were Jesus Saves (1882), He Hideth My Soul (1890), Lord, I’m Coming Home (1892), and Lead Me to Calvary (1921).

—Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

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