Mary Botham Howitt

Howitt, Mary, née Botham, second daughter of Samuel Botham, a member of the Society of Friends, was born at Uttoxeter, Staffordshire, circa 1804, was married in 1823 to William Howitt, and died Jan. 30, 1888. Her publications have little in common with hymnody. They include poems, novels, translations of Swedish and Spanish works, and numerous contributions to magazines. In addition she was joint author with her husband of Literature and Romance of Northern Europe, 1852, &c. Her hymns include:—
1. God might have made the earth bring forth. The Use of Flowers. From her Birds and Flowers, and Other Country Things, Lond., N. D. (Preface, Sept. 28, 1837), p. 122, in 8 stanzas of 4 lines.
2. How goodly is the earth. Flower Services. From her Hymns and Fireside Verses, Lond., 1839, p. 167.
3. 0 spirit, freed from earth. Death and Burial. Altered from her poem, "The Ascent of the Spirit," in her Ballads and Other Poems, 1847, p. 318. Dr. Martineau dates this poem 1834.
Mrs. Howitt also contributed " Let me suffer, let me drain" (The Willing Disciple), and " Clothe me with Thy saving grace " (The Cry of the spirit) to Lyra Britannica, 1867.

-- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology

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Howitt, Mary, p. 541, i. Her hymn “Let me suffer; let me drain," is the opening hymn of the Lays of the Sanctuary, 1859. She died Jan. 30, 1888.

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)