William Cowper (1731-1800) was born in Hertfordshire, England. His father, Reverend John Cowper, was a chaplain to George II. He spent ten years in Westminster School and then began reading law; abandoning it for literature after a very brief practice. He became the most distinguished poet of the English language in the latter half of the 18th century. Despite this he suffered from debilitating depression. In 1767 he moved to Olney, the home of John Newton. Cowper was a constant and prayerful attendant at Newton’s church services; especially his cottage prayer meetings, for which nearly all of his hymns were written at Newton’s request. The Olney Hymns, 1779, was their joint production; 78 of them coming from Cowper. His resolve and willingness to accomplish great things for God despite emotional burdens has long served as a source of encouragement for those who suffer from depression.
