John King › Tunes

In H. and J. Gwyther's Psalmist, A Selection. of Psalms & Hymns, etc., Lond., 1830, there is 1 psalm version signed “J. King," and 1 psalm version and 4 hymns signed "I. King." One of the latter is "When His salvation bringing," No. 417, in 3 stanzas of 8 lines, with a chorus. This hymn is in extensive modern use. Concerning the author great, difficulty has been experienced in tracing his identity. Under date of Aug. 15, 1865, the Rev. John Gwyther informed D. Sedgwick that the signatures stood for "Joshua King, late Vicar of Hull."

In a second communication, dated Aug. 19, 1865, be writes further, "Mr. Joshua King was Curate to Mr. J. Eyton, of Wellington, Shropshire, when Mr. E. made his collection of Hymns and wrote them for his Book, but whether he published them in any other form I don't know. Mr. K. gave his Hymn Book to my brother." From the Registers of Eyton Church we find that Mr. King's name was John. He graduated at Queen's College, Cambridge, B.A. 1814; became Incumbent of Christ Church, Hull, in 1822, and died Sep. 12, 1858, aged 69.

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)

See also Joshua King.