Sabine Baring-Gould
Sabine Baring-Gould (1834-1924) was a British clergyman, antiquarian, and prolific writer known for his contributions to literature and hymns, notably the famous hymn "Onward Christian Soldiers," composed in 1864. Raised in Exeter, Baring-Gould traveled throughout Europe during his childhood and later studied at Clare Hall, Cambridge. His professional life as a rector in Lewtrenchard allowed him to explore his interests in local history and folklore, leading to the publication of over one hundred works, including novels, nonfiction, and short stories.
Baring-Gould had a keen fascination with legends and myths, evidenced by notable studies like "The Book of Were-Wolves" and "Curious Myths of the Middle Ages." He also wrote extensively on religious topics, with works such as "Lives of the Saints" and "The Passion of Christ." His storytelling often reflected social issues, as seen in "The Frobishers," which addresses the hardships faced by pottery workers. Additionally, he adapted fairy tales and studied languages to produce works like "Grettir the Outlaw: A Story of Iceland." Throughout his life, he and his wife, Grace, had fifteen children, and he continued to write until his death in 1924, being laid to rest in the churchyard of his parish.
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Sabine Baring-Gould
Writer
- Born: June 28, 1834
- Birthplace: Exeter, Devon, England
- Died: January 2, 1924
- Place of death: Lewtrenchard, England
Biography
Sabine Baring-Gould was born in 1834, in Exeter, and died in 1924. He was a British clergyman, antiquarian, and collector of folk songs, and wrote the well-known hymn Onward Christian Soldiers in 1864. As a child, he traveled throughout Europe with his father and was educated at Clare Hall in Cambridge. He became rector at Lewtrenchard and married Grace Taylor in 1868, only after sending her to school for an education.
Baring-Gould began writing in 1857, and is the author of novels, works of nonfiction and short stories, comprising more than one hundred books in all. His production increased after he inherited his family’s estate in Devon in 1881. He was fascinated by local legends, as demonstrated by some of his studies, such as The Book of Were-Wolves (1865), two volumes on Curious Myths of the Middle Ages (1867 and 1868), and A Book of Folk-Lore (1900). His nonfiction also includes numerous books on religion, such as Lives of the Saints (1872), The Passion of Christ (1885), and The Church in Germany (1891).
Baring-Gould’s work as a rector enabled him to travel as an adult. Many of his novels would follow his visit to a particular part of Europe. In The Frobishers (1901), he uses the characters of two sisters to depict the lot of people working in the Staffordshire pottery industry and how job conditions could lead to lead poisoning.
His fascination with legends also led to short stories featuring paranormal situations, ghosts and witches. His interest in fairy tales led to several adaptations of traditional tales, such as A Book of Fairy Tales, Retold by S. Baring-Gould (1895). He taught himself the languages of Icelandic and Danish so he could produce an adaptation of Grettir the Outlaw: A Story of Iceland, which came out in 1890. He also wrote on history and topography. Baring-Gould and his wife had fifteen children. She died in 1916. He died eight years later, and is buried in his churchyard at Lewtrenchard.