J.R. Watson is Emeritus Professor of English and Emeritus Public Orator of the University of Durham. Twenty years ago he chose for the subject of his Inaugural Lecture, 'The Victorian Hymn'. He was serving at the time on the committee of the Methodist (and Ecumenical) Hymns and Psalms (1983), and later edited, with Kenneth Trickett, the Companion to Hymns and Psalms (1988). He was a member of the Archbishops' Commission on Church music, and more recently of the editorial committee responsible for the latest revision of Hymns Ancient and Modern, Common Praise (2000). His critical and historical study, The English Hymn, was published by Oxford University Press in 1997 (paperback 1999).

A book for those who already love hymns in the English language ... Watson's anthology is a fascinating read as well as a book to dip into when you get home from church and want to know more about the hymn you have just sung ... an informative work.

J.R. Watson is Emeritus Professor of English and Emeritus Public Orator of the University of Durham. Twenty years ago he chose for the subject of his Inaugural Lecture, 'The Victorian Hymn'. He was serving at the time on the committee of the Methodist (and Ecumenical) Hymns and Psalms (1983), and later edited, with Kenneth Trickett, the Companion to Hymns and Psalms (1988). He was a member of the Archbishops' Commission on Church music, and more recently of the editorial committee responsible for the latest revision of Hymns Ancient and Modern, Common Praise (2000). His critical and historical study, The English Hymn, was published by Oxford University Press in 1997 (paperback 1999).

A book for those who already love hymns in the English language ... Watson's anthology is a fascinating read as well as a book to dip into when you get home from church and want to know more about the hymn you have just sung ... an informative work.

J.R. Watson is Emeritus Professor of English and Emeritus Public Orator of the University of Durham. Twenty years ago he chose for the subject of his Inaugural Lecture, 'The Victorian Hymn'. He was serving at the time on the committee of the Methodist (and Ecumenical) Hymns and Psalms (1983), and later edited, with Kenneth Trickett, the Companion to Hymns and Psalms (1988). He was a member of the Archbishops' Commission on Church music, and more recently of the editorial committee responsible for the latest revision of Hymns Ancient and Modern, Common Praise (2000). His critical and historical study, The English Hymn, was published by Oxford University Press in 1997 (paperback 1999).

A book for those who already love hymns in the English language ... Watson's anthology is a fascinating read as well as a book to dip into when you get home from church and want to know more about the hymn you have just sung ... an informative work.