Horatius Bonar

1808–1889

Lyricist

Scottish Free Church minister and prolific hymn writer who composed over 600 hymn texts, many focused on themes of comfort and devotion. His poetry was marked by evangelical warmth and theological precision, and his hymns such as "I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say" became standards in Scottish and English worship. Bonar was highly esteemed as one of the greatest hymnodists of the 19th century.