About the Author

WILLIAM COWPER (1731-1800) was born in Berkhampstead, England. Among his distinguished ancestors, his father was Chaplin to His Majesty George the Second. Mr. Cowper's sensitive soul was an advantage to his poetry, but he also endured much distress. Mr. John Newton, the preacher at Olney, requested that he give himself to hymn writing. He wrote many other poems as well, such as "The Task" and "The Diverting History of John Gilpin."