Fawcett, John

(1740-1817)

   Born at Lidget Green, near Bradford, Yorkshire, he was converted under the ministry of George Whitefield at the age of 16. He first joined the Methodists, then was ordained a Baptist minister at Wainsgate near Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire. Although invited to London to succeed the celebrated Dr. J. Gill as pastor of Carter's Lane, he felt unable to leave the congregation of Wainsgate. Out of this experience he wrote his well-known hymn "Blest Be the Tie That Binds." In 1777 a new chapel was built for him at Hebden Bridge. About the same time he opened a school at Breasley Hall, and he received the degree of doctor of divinity from an American college. In 1811 he published his Devotional Commentary on the Holy Scriptures, a large two volume work. Some of his poetic publications: Poetic Essays, 1767. The Christian's Humble Plea, 1772. The Death of Euminio, a Divine Poem, 1779. The Reign of Death, 1780. Some of his other many hymns/poems: "How Precious is the Book Divine," "Lord, Dismiss Us with Thy Blessing," "Afflicted Saint, to Christ Draw Near," "Thy Presence, Gracious God, Afford."

   Sources: Biography of John Fawcett (Spiritual Songsters) (http://www.stempublishing.com/hymns/biographies/fawcett.html). Dictionary of National Biography. Electronic Edition 1.1. Oxford University Press, 1997. The Cyber Hymnal (http://www.cyberhymnal.org/index.htm). The National Portrait Gallery (www.npg.org.uk).