Elizabeth Wilson

Wilson, Elizabeth, L.L.D. (Neenah, Wisconsin, August 17, 1867--?). Daughter of a Methodist Episcopal minister, herself an ordained minister of the same denomination, a member (one-time officer) of the American Association of Women Preachers, and of the British Society for the Ministry of Women. She was educated at Lawrence University (now College), Appleton, Wisconsin; Oxford, England; Jena, Germany, and the Bengal Government Weaving Institute, Serampore, Inda. After teaching at Lawrence for five years, 1885-1889, she began her real life work with the Y.W.C.A. and continued in it for thirty-nine years, a part of the time being spent as as Association Secretary in Japan. Retiring from active work she lived for a time at Appleton and then removed to California where, in 1953 at the time of this writing, she makes her home in Los Angeles at Pacific Homes, a residence for retired religious workers.

See the biographical sketch of Helen Thoburn for a full account of the writing of her hymn, "Father of lights, in whom there is no shadow" (Helen Thoburn and Elizabeth Wilson), the first half of stanza one of which is widely used as an Opening Response.

--Robert G. McCutchan, DNAH Archives