William Cowper (1731-1800) Poet and Hymnodist

William was an English poet and hymnodist. He was one of the most popular poets of his time. He changed the direction of 18th century nature poetry by writing of everyday life and scenes of the English countryside.

I have just concentrated on his life as a hymnodist,

William was born in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire. His father John Cowper was the rector of St. Peter’s church. He lost his mother 6 years later when she died giving birth to his brother John.

He went to Westminster school in 1742. He was a Latin scholar. In 1750 he began to study law. He was then articled to Mr. Chapman, a solicitor, to be trained as a lawyer. He was called to the bar in 1754 and took chambers in London’s Middle Temple. By this time he was beginning to show signs of the mental instability which would plague him for the rest of his life.

In 1763 he was offered a Clerkship of Journals in the House of Lords but broke under the strain of the approaching examinations. He tried 3 times to commit suicide and was confined for 18 months to Nathaniel Cotton’s asylum at St. Albans for 18 months. He was troubled by religious doubts and fears and persistently dreaming of his predestined damnation.

On recovery religion provided the comfort for William’s convalescence. He went to Huntingdon where he lodged with Rev. Morley Unwin, his wife Mary and their small family. Morley in 1767 died in a riding accident and they moved to Olney in Buckinghamshire.

In Olney the curate, John Newton, encouraged William in a life of practical evangelism . That failed as his doubt and melancholy returned. But William and John collaborated on a book of religious verse- Olney Hymns - which was eventually published in 1779. This included Praise for the Fountain Opened, and Light shining out of darkness.

1773 William experienced another attack of insanity. When he recovered the following year his religious fervour was gone.

Poetry and Hymns, in my opinion, are closely linked. Inspiration for both can come from loved ones. 50 years after his mother’s death he wrote* On the Receipt of My Mother’s Picture. * In his student days he became engaged to his cousin Theodora Cowper. Mary Unwin helped him recover from his illness and they became very close after her husband’s death. A further relapse into near madness in 1773 put paid to the idea of marriage. In 1781 Lady Austen, a charming widow, inspired William to write new poetry. In 1786 he became close to Lady Harriet Hesketh - Theodora’s sister.

William was seized with dropsy in the spring of 1800 and he died on the 25th of April. He was buried in the chapel of St. Thomas of Canterbury. There are stained glass windows in East Dereham and in St. Peter’s Berkhamsted.

Robert Southey between 1835-7 edited William’s 15 volumes of writings. William Cowper is considered one of the best writers of English and some of his hymns have become part of the heritage of English churches.

Sources used
Britannica Online Encyclopedia
Wikipedia