James Montgomery

Date of Birth: November 4, 1771

Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

Date of Death: April 30, 1854

Biography

James Montgomery was a prominent British poet and hymn writer, born on November 4, 1771, in Irvine, Ayrshire, Scotland. He was the son of John Montgomery, a Moravian minister. Montgomery’s early life was marked by tragedy; his mother died when he was young, and his father passed away while on a mission trip in the West Indies. James was placed in a Moravian community for his education but left to pursue a literary career. His early attempts at writing were met with little success, and he worked in various jobs, including as a shop assistant and a journalist. Montgomery eventually became the editor of the Sheffield Register, which he later renamed the Sheffield Iris. His tenure as editor was marked by his advocacy for social issues, including the abolition of slavery and the reform of child labor laws. He faced imprisonment twice for his outspoken views. Despite these challenges, Montgomery’s literary career flourished. He published several volumes of poetry, including “The Wanderer of Switzerland” (1806) and “The West Indies” (1810). His hymns, such as “Angels from the Realms of Glory” and “Hail to the Lord’s Anointed,” remain popular in Christian worship services. Montgomery spent his later years in Sheffield, where he continued to write and engage in social causes. He was highly respected in the literary community and received a civil list pension in recognition of his contributions to English literature.

5 Interesting Facts about James Montgomery

1. James Montgomery was imprisoned twice for his editorial work, once in 1795 for printing a song that celebrated the fall of the Bastille, and again in 1796 for criticizing a magistrate.

2. He was a staunch advocate for the abolition of slavery and used his platform as an editor to promote social justice.

3. Montgomery’s hymns are still widely sung today, and he is considered one of the most important hymn writers of the 19th century.

4. He was awarded a civil list pension by the British government in 1835 in recognition of his literary contributions.

5. Despite his Scottish birth, Montgomery spent most of his life in Sheffield, England, where he became a beloved local figure.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from James Montgomery

1. “Hope against hope, and ask till ye receive.”

2. “The mind, in healthy exercise, is not weary of its own company.”

3. “The world before me is like a phantasmagoria, a magic lantern show, of which I am the spectator.”

4. “Truth, crushed to earth, shall rise again; the eternal years of God are hers.”

5. “Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire, uttered or unexpressed.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

James Montgomery’s highest net worth is not well-documented, but he was known to have lived a modest life. His civil list pension awarded by the British government suggests he was respected but not wealthy.