Isaac Watts

Isaac Watts (July 17, 1674 - November 25, 1748), recognised as the 'Father of English Hymnody', as he was the first both prolific and popular English hymnwriter, credited with some 750 hymns. Many of his hymns remain in active use today.

Life

Born in Southampton, Watts was brought up in the home of a committed Nonconformist - his father had been imprisoned twice for his views. At his local school he learnt Latin, Greek and Hebrew, and displayed a propensity for rhyme at home, driving his parents to the point of distraction on many occasions with his verse. Once, he had to explain how he came to have his eyes open during prayers.

Related Topics:
Southampton - Nonconformist

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: "A little mouse for want of stairs

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: ran up a rope to say its prayers."

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Receiving corporal punishment for this, he cried

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: "O father, do some pity take

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: And I will no more verses make."

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Watts, unable to go to either Oxford or Cambridge due to his Nonconformity, went to the Dissenting Academy at Stoke Newington in 1690.

Related Topics:
Oxford - Cambridge - Stoke Newington - 1690

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His education led him to the pastorate of a large church in London, and he also found himself in the position of helping trainee preachers, despite poor health.

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Taking work as a private tutor he lived with a nonconformist family at Fleetwood House in Stoke Newington, and later became part of the household of Sir Thomas Abney at Theobalds in Hertfordshire whose children he taught. On the death of Sir Thomas Abney, Watts moved with Lady Mary Abney and her remaining daughter to Abney House in Stoke Newington whose grounds led down to an island heronry in the Hackney Brook where he sought inspiration for the books and hymns of his later years. He died in Stoke Newington and was buried in Bunhill Fields, having left behind him a massive legacy, not only of hymns, but also of treatises, essays and the like.

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One of his best known poems was an exhortation Against Idleness And Mischief

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: How doth the little busy bee

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: Improve each shining hour,

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: And gather honey all the day

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: From every opening flower!

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Watts' association with Stoke Newington is commemorated by a stone statue in Dr Watts' Walk, Abney Park Cemetery, erected in 1845 by public subscription and designed by architect E.W.Bailey.

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