Sir John Bowring

Sir John Bowring (1792–1872) was an English linguist, translator, political economist, reformer, diplomat, politician, editor, and hymn writer whose career ranged far beyond church literature. Born in Exeter on October 17, 1792, into a Unitarian family, he was educated in a Unitarian school and entered commercial life while still young. His work in European trade encouraged an unusual aptitude for languages, which he later used in translations and anthologies of Russian, Spanish, Dutch, Polish, Magyar, Czech, and other literatures. The University of Groningen awarded him an honorary doctorate in 1829 for his literary work.

Bowring became closely associated with the philosopher Jeremy Bentham and helped shape the radical Westminster Review, serving as its political editor from the 1820s. He entered Parliament in 1835 and again served from 1841 to 1849, advocating causes that included free trade, parliamentary reform, education, and decimal currency. His diplomatic career then took him to East Asia: he became British consul at Canton, was knighted in 1854, and served as Governor of Hong Kong from 1854 to 1859. He negotiated the 1855 Bowring Treaty with Siam, while his conduct during the conflict surrounding the Arrow incident and the bombardment of Canton remains a controversial part of his colonial record.

Bowring's devotional poetry appeared in Matins and Vespers and in the later volume Hymns. Among his best-known hymn texts are In the Cross of Christ I Glory, Watchman, Tell Us of the Night, and Father and Friend! Thy Light, Thy Love. His hymn writing reflects the liberal Unitarian Christianity in which he was formed, often emphasizing divine goodness, providence, moral trust, and the presence of God.