Edward Henry Bickersteth

Edward Henry Bickersteth was an English Anglican bishop, pastor, and hymn writer whose texts became widely used in nineteenth century devotional worship. Born in London into a prominent evangelical Anglican family, he studied at Trinity College Cambridge before entering the ministry of the Church of England. Bickersteth served in parish ministry and later became Bishop of Exeter. Alongside his pastoral responsibilities he wrote devotional literature and hymn texts that emphasized personal faith, repentance, and the hope of redemption. His hymn Peace Perfect Peace is among his most widely known works and has been used frequently in services of comfort and reflection. Bickersteth writings reflect the evangelical spirituality of the Victorian era and demonstrate how bishops and clergy contributed to the development of congregational hymn singing.