author
James Skinner
1818–1881
A Church of England clergyman and hymn writer, he mixed pastoral work with a steady stream of religious books and pamphlets. His life joined parish service, public debate, and a strong interest in church life in Victorian Britain.
1 Audiobook
A Tract for the Times: The Church and the Census
by James Skinner
About the author
Born in Forfar, Scotland, on June 23, 1818, he was the youngest son of John Skinner, dean of Dunkeld and Dunblane. He studied at Durham, took his B.A. in 1837, and later served in the Church of England, becoming known not only as a clergyman but also as a religious writer and hymn writer.
His writings ranged from hymns and devotional work to pamphlets on church questions of the day. He is especially associated with Victorian Anglican debate, and his career included parish work at places such as Beauchamp St. Leonard, where he played an important part in developing the church and its musical and artistic life.
He died at Bath on December 29, 1881. Although not widely remembered today, he left behind a picture of a serious Victorian churchman who tried to bring together worship, writing, and practical parish work.