I. V. Flagler

A Founder of the American Guild of Organists, Isaac Van Fleck Flagler was born in Albany, New York, on May 15, 1842, and died on March 16, 1909, in Auburn, New York.

Blessed with brilliant talent in piano, after studying law for four years, he turned to music, studying first with Henry Beale, organist of St. Joseph's Church, Albany, and later with Édouard Batiste in Paris and with Gustav Merkel in Dresden. Returning to the United States, he served churches in Poughkeepsie, Albany and Auburn, and taught at Syracuse and Cornell, and was known as a summer lecturer at the Chautauqua Institution.

In 1894 Flagler composed, edited, and published Songs of Praise and Devotion: for Young People's Societies, for Sunday Schools, for Gospel Meetings, for Praise Services, for the Choir, for Male Voices, for the Y.M.C.A., and for the Home Circle. In 1895 he composed and edited The New Era of Song. Reviewing the latter work, Albert Shaw wrote, "Mr. Flagler aims to strike the golden mean between 'Gospel hymn trash' and the elaborate classicism which hinders congregational singing."

(source: AGO Founders Hymnal, p. 94)