author
John Kent
Raised in humble circumstances and trained as a shipwright, this English Baptist hymn writer taught himself enough to turn deep religious feeling into verses that stayed in use for generations. His best-known work, Original Gospel Hymns, first appeared in 1803 and grew through many later editions.
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About the author
Born in Bideford, Devon, in 1766, John Kent grew up with limited formal schooling and was apprenticed to his father as a shipwright. Even so, he wrote verse from a young age and steadily educated himself, shaping a voice that was plainspoken, devotional, and closely tied to the life of his church.
Kent became known for Calvinistic Baptist hymns centered on grace, faith, and perseverance. His collection Original Gospel Hymns was first published in 1803 for use among worshippers near Plymouth, and it continued to expand in later editions, helping secure his place as a respected hymn writer.
He continued his trade while writing, and later accounts note that he stopped composing after losing his sight. Kent died in 1843, but his hymns continued to circulate long after his lifetime, remembered for their sincerity and strong sense of conviction.