Ernest Warburton Shurtleff

Ernest Warburton Shurtleff was an American Congregational minister, poet, and church musician born in Boston on April 4, 1862. He studied at Harvard University, attended the New Church Theological School, and completed his theological education at Andover Theological Seminary. Andover's own historical catalogue identifies him with the class of 1888. During his seminary years he was also remembered for playing the organ at Sunday services in Stone Chapel.

Shurtleff was ordained in 1889 and served Congregational churches in Ventura, California; Plymouth, Massachusetts; and Minneapolis, Minnesota. In 1905 he went to Germany and established the American Church in Frankfurt, then became involved with student ministry in Paris. During the First World War, he and his wife Helen participated in relief work for refugees and others affected by the conflict. He died at Dinard, France, on August 24, 1917.

He published poetry from an early age, including “Poems,” “New Year's Peace,” “Song of Hope,” “Shadow of the Angel,” and later “Song on the Waters.” His best-known hymn, “Lead On, O King Eternal,” was written for his Andover graduation in 1888, transforming commencement imagery into a prayer for lifelong Christian vocation.