author
William Walker
d. 1816
Best remembered for helping shape the sound of American congregational singing, this 19th-century compiler and song leader brought beloved hymn tunes to generations of singers. His influential tunebooks, especially The Southern Harmony, left a lasting mark on shape-note music.
1 Audiobook
About the author
Born on May 6, 1809, in South Carolina, he grew up near Spartanburg and became a Baptist song leader and shape-note singing master. He is most closely associated with the rich tradition of American sacred music that flourished in the South during the 1800s.
His best-known work is The Southern Harmony, and Musical Companion, first published in 1835. The collection became one of the most influential tunebooks of its era and helped preserve and spread many hymn tunes that are still sung today, including the version of "Amazing Grace" paired with the tune "New Britain."
He later compiled The Christian Harmony, another major tunebook that remained important in community singing traditions. He died on September 24, 1875, and is remembered as a key figure in the history of shape-note music and American hymnody.