William Batchelder Bradbury

William Batchelder Bradbury (6 October, 1816 – January 7, 1868) musician who composed the tune to "Jesus Loves Me" and many other popular hymns.

Early years

Bradbury was born in York, Maine where his father was the leader of a choir. By age fourteen he had mastered every musical instrument available, but never saw an organ or a piano until 1830, when his parents moved to Boston. There he met Dr. Lowell Mason, and by 1834 was known as an organist. In 1840, he began teaching in Brooklyn, New York, where he gained popularity by his free singing-schools, and by his concerts, at which the performers, all children, sometimes numbered 1,000. In 1847 he went to Germany, where he studied harmony, composition, and vocal and instrumental music with the best masters.

In 1854, he started the Bradbury Piano Company, with his brother, Edward G. Bradbury in New York City. William Bradbury is best known as a composer and publisher of a series of musical collections for choirs and schools. He was the author and compiler of fifty-nine books. The first book was published in 1841.

In 1862, Bradbury found "Jesus Loves Me" in a book in which the words were spoken as a comforting poem to a dying child. Along with his tune, Bradbury added his own chorus "Yes, Jesus loves me, Yes, Jesus Loves me..." After publication the song became one of the most popular Christian hymns in churches around the world.

Death

He died on January 7, 1868 in Montclair, New Jersey and was buried in Bloomfield Cemetery in Bloomfield, New Jersey.

Hymns He Composed

He composed many hymns including "He Leadeth Me," "Just As I Am, Without One Plea," "Sweet Hour of Prayer", "Jesus Like a Savior Lead Us" and The Solid Rock." All of these songs can be found in the Christian Reformed Church's "Psalter Hymnal" and many other song books.

Publications

*"The Golden Chain" (1861)
*"Hold On Abraham!" (1862)
*"The Key-Note" and "Pilgrim Song" (1863)
*"Golden Trio" (1864)
*"The Shawm" (1864)
*"The Jubilee" (1865)
*"Temple Choir" and "Fresh Laurels" (1867)

External links

*ChoralWiki
* [http://lcweb2.loc.gov/service/music/eadxmlmusic/eadpdfmusic/mu004004_x.pdf Library of Congress]
* [http://www3.telus.net/st_simons/cr9311.htm Article re creation of the hymn "Jesus Loves Me"]

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