John Raphael Peacey

John Raphael Peacey (1896–1971) was an English Anglican priest, educator, missionary, cathedral canon, and hymn writer. Born at Hove, Sussex, on July 16, 1896, he was educated at St Edmund’s School, Canterbury. During the First World War he served in France as an officer in the Sussex Royal Garrison Artillery and was awarded the Military Cross. After demobilization he entered Selwyn College, Cambridge, as a scholar, graduating with First Class Honours in theology; he was ordained deacon in 1922 and priest in 1923.

After a brief period teaching at Wellington College, Peacey returned to Selwyn as dean, precentor, and fellow. In 1927 he went to India as headmaster of Bishop Cotton School in Simla, and in 1935 became principal of Bishop’s College, Calcutta, an Anglican theological college. He remained in India until 1945. Returning to England, he joined Bristol Cathedral, where he served as a residentiary canon and in diocesan responsibilities until his retirement in 1966.

Peacey wrote a relatively small body of hymns, many during his later years, but several gained durable places in twentieth-century Anglican and ecumenical worship. Representative texts include Filled with the Spirit’s Power, Go Forth for God, and For Mary, Mother of Our Lord. A posthumous collection titled Go Forth for God was issued by Hope Publishing Company in 1991. His hymn writing characteristically joins biblical language, the work of the Holy Spirit, Christian service, and the church’s vocation in the world.