In Bethlehem our Lord was born

Translator: Catherine Winkworth

Catherine Winkworth (b. Holborn, London, England, 1827; d. Monnetier, Savoy, France, 1878) is well known for her English translations of German hymns; her translations were polished and yet remained close to the original. Educated initially by her mother, she lived with relatives in Dresden, Germany, in 1845, where she acquired her knowledge of German and interest in German hymnody. After residing near Manchester until 1862, she moved to Clifton, near Bristol. A pioneer in promoting women's rights, Winkworth put much of her energy into the encouragement of higher education for women. She translated a large number of German hymn texts from hymnals owned by a friend, Baron Bunsen. Though often altered, these translations continue to be used i… Go to person page >

Author: Friedrich Rueckert

Rückert, Friedrieh, son of Johann Michael Rückert, advocate at Schweinfurt, in Bavaria, was born at Schweinfurt, May 16, 1788. He matriculated at the University of Würzburg Nov. 9, 1805 (where he became a great friend of Baron von Stockmar of Coburg), and finished his course there in the spring of 1809. He graduated PH. D. at Göttingen in 1810, and on March 30, 1811, began to lecture at Jena as a privatdocent in philology, but left April 16, 1812. On Nov. 2, 1812, he was appointed Professor of the Gymnasium at Hanau, but resigned before entering on his duties, and left Hanau Jan. 21, 1813. He was then for some time living at Würzburg as a man of letters, thereafter at Bettenburg near Hassfurt, &c. In Dec. 1815 he began work at… Go to person page >