1829 - 1908 Person Name: Wm. M. Mason Hymnal Number: 86 Composer of "[Tho' the pleasures of earth fade like blossoms of spring]" in Songs of Help Born: January 24, 1829, Boston, Massachusetts.
Died: July 14, 1908, New York City.
Third son of Lowell Mason, William studied piano in Boston, then went abroad, becoming acquainted with Liszt in Weimar, Germany. He returned to America in 1854 and made a tour as a concert pianist. He later settled in New York City, in 1868 began teaching piano. During his life, he wrote about 10 hymn tunes, and some 40 piano pieces.
Sources:
Jones, pp. 90-93
Hughes, p. 485
http://www.hymntime.com/tch/bio/m/a/s/mason_w.htm
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William Mason