Bentley DeForest Ackley

Bentley DeForest Ackley (1872–1958) was an American gospel composer, pianist, organist, and music editor. Born in Spring Hill, Pennsylvania, he learned several instruments while young and took part in his father’s band. After moving to New York in 1888, he became active as a church organist. In 1907 he joined the evangelistic work of Billy Sunday and Homer Rodeheaver as secretary and pianist, traveling with the team for about eight years.

Ackley later worked as a music editor in the Rodeheaver publishing enterprise and became one of the prolific tune writers associated with early twentieth-century American gospel song. Biographical sources credit him with more than 3,000 hymn and gospel tunes written for congregational singing, solos, choirs, and evangelistic meetings. Representative titles linked with his music include “I Walk with the King,” “In the Service of the King,” and “Sunrise.” His younger brother, Alfred Henry Ackley, was also a minister and gospel-song writer. Bentley Ackley died in Winona Lake, Indiana, in 1958. His career is especially significant for the close connection it shows between revival evangelism, practical keyboard musicianship, music publishing, and the rapid circulation of new gospel songs in the United States.