Francis Ridley Havergal (1836 – 1879)

Francis Ridley Havergal (1836 – 1879) was an English religious poet and hymn writer. Thy Life for Me is one of her best known hymns. She also wrote hymn melodies, religious tracts, and works for children. She was born into an Anglican family, at Astley in Worcestershire. Her father, William Henry Havergal (1793-1870), was a clergyman, writer, composer, and hymnwriter. Her brother, Henry East Havergal, was a priest in the Church of England and an organist.

In 1852/3 she studied in the Louisenschule, Düsseldorf, and at Oberkassel. Otherwise she led a quiet life, not enjoying consistent good health; she travelled, in particular to Switzerland. She supported the Church Missionary Society.

She died of peritonitis at Caswell Bay on the Gower peninsula in Wales. Her sisters saw much of her work published posthumously. Havergal College in Toronto is named after her. The composer Havergal Brian adopted the name as a tribute to the Havergal family.

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