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Short Name: |
Annie Matheson |
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Full Name: |
Matheson, Annie, 1853-1924 |
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Birth Year: |
1853 |
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Death Year: |
1924 |
Matheson, Annie, eldest daughter of Rev. James Matheson, Congregational Minister, of Nottingham, was born at Blackheath, March, 1853, and resided at Notting Hill, London. She died in 1924.
At an early age she showed considerable literary ability, her first hymn, "Jesus, the children are calling," being composed when she was only 13 years old. This hymn, attracting the attention of Dr. George MacDonald, was introduced by him to the notice of the editor of Good Words, who inserted it in that magazine, as a "Hymn by a Child." In 1869 appeared "I am weak and weary, Lord," and from that time Miss Matheson was a frequent contributor to Good Words, Macmillan, The Spectator, St. Nicholas, and other magazines, both English and American. Her illustrated book for children, Margaret's Year Book, containing twelve poems from her pen, was published in 1887.
The following are the best known of Miss Matheson's hymns:—
1. Dear Master, what can children do? Children as Workers for Christ.
2. How shall we worship Thee, O Lord? Divine Worship.
3. I am weak and weary, Lord. Divine Strength desired.
4. Jesus, the children are calling. Children's Prayer to Christ.
5. Lord, when we have not any light. Evening.
6. O little birds, that all day long. God's Love to all Creatures.
7. The little snowdrops rise. Easter.
8. When through life's dewy fields we go. Comfort in God's Presence.
Of these hymns, Nos, 5, 6, and 7 were written for W. E. Stevenson's School Hymnal, 1880; and Nos. 1 and 2 for a Harvest Festival about 1882.
Miss Matheson's hymns are characterised by a pleasing combination of simplicity and refinement, both of thought and expression.
[Rev. W. R. Stevenson, M.A.]
-- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)
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Matheson, Annie, p. 719, ii. She wrote two hymns in 1905 for the Sunday School Hymnary, 1905:—
1. What is the name of the Lord God Almighty? [God is Love.] 1905, No. 407. The original form was partly rewritten in accordance with suggestions made by the editor.
2. When there is peace, where praise hath been. [Evening.] 1905, No. 157. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.]
--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, New Supplement (1907)
Annie Matheson (1853–1924) was a British Victorian era poet. She was known to have written one of the first biographies of Florence Nightingale as well as several volumes of meditative and lyrical poetry. Because her poems were primarily centered on the ethical and spiritual experience of life, several Christian denominations have been known to appreciate her work. As evidenced by her several publications, she greatly advocated for the alleviation of poverty and social injustice in hope of reform. She contributed to several contemporary periodicals by writing short essays and biographies. Although she published several works, there is no significant biographical account of Matheson's life.
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