author
Mary A. (Mary Artemisia) Lathbury
1841–1913
Best known for writing beloved hymns like "Break Thou the Bread of Life" and "Day Is Dying in the West," this American poet and educator also became a cherished literary voice of the Chautauqua movement. Her work joined quiet devotion, clear language, and a gift for writing words people wanted to sing.
1 Audiobook
Child's Story of the Bible
by Mary A. (Mary Artemisia) Lathbury
About the author
Born in Manchester, New York, in 1841, Mary Artemisia Lathbury was an American poet, hymn writer, and educator. She taught art and was also active in editorial work, building a career that blended literature, religion, and education.
Lathbury became closely associated with the Chautauqua movement and was widely known as the "Laureate of Chautauqua." She is remembered especially for the hymns "Break Thou the Bread of Life" and "Day Is Dying in the West," which gave her a lasting place in American devotional music.
She died in 1913. Though not as widely known now as some of her contemporaries, her writing has endured through hymnals, religious publishing, and the continuing use of her best-loved texts.