Baring-Gould, Sabine (1834-1924), an English clergyman, wrote the words to the well-known hymn “Onward, Christian Soldiers.” The words were first published in 1865 and later became popular when set to music by the English composer Sir Arthur Sullivan in 1871. Baring-Gould was a prolific writer. He wrote novels as well as nonfiction books on a variety of subjects in addition to the words for many hymns. These subjects included topography, mythology, and theology. The Broom Squire (1896) is one of his best-known novels. Other works include Sermons to Children (1879) and Napoleon Bonaparte (1896). Baring-Gould also pioneered in collecting English folk songs. He collaborated on the publication of many of these songs in Songs and Ballads of the West (1888-1891), A Garland of Country Song (1895), and English Minstrelsie (1895-1896).
Baring-Gould was born on Jan. 28, 1834, in Exeter, Devon, England. He was educated at Cambridge University, receiving an M.A. degree in 1856. Baring-Gould was ordained into the Church of England in 1864. He died on Jan. 2, 1924.
