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Authors Who Also Wrote Hymns Trivia Quiz

All of these writers wrote one or more hymns that have made it into our modern hymnals. All were in 19th century America. They were primarily novelists, poets and essayists. This quiz pertains mostly to their lives and occupations, sometimes their works.

A multiple-choice quiz by GLBlesi. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
GLBlesi

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
397,192

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
131

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which of these authors' best-known hymn was written as a Christmas hymn? Hint

James Russell Lowell

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

William Cullen Bryant

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. This author's much-loved and universally known children's hymn was contained in a novel that was NOT written by the hymnist. Hint

Timothy Dwight IV

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

Anna Bartlett Warner

Sidney Lanier

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. This author and hymnist's wife died in a fire in their home. In trying to save her, he burned his own face badly. From that point on, he wore a beard. Hint

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

James Russell Lowell

Henry Van Dyke, Jr.

John Greenleaf Whittier

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. Which of these ministers, also author and hymnist, was the eighth president of Yale College? Hint

Timothy Dwight IV

Henry Van Dyke, Jr.

None of these

Harry Emerson Fosdick

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Question 5 of 10

5. One of these penned the words of a popular hymn sung to a majestic tune by Beethoven. Hint

Harriet Beecher Stowe

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Henry Van Dyke, Jr.

William Cullen Bryant

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. One hymnist whose father and brother were ministers wrote a fiery anti-slavery book that stirred up the nation. Hint

Susan Warner

Harriet Beecher Stowe

Anna Bartlett Warner

Sidney Lanier

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. This Quaker poet probably has more hymns in modern hymnals than many others. Hint

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

James Russell Lowell

John Greenleaf Whittier

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Which of these hymnists was at one time America's best-selling female author? Hint

Anna Bartlett Warner

Harriet Beecher Stowe

Both Harriet Beecher Stowe and Susan Warner

Susan Warner

9. For dying before he turned 40, this hymn writer had an illustrious and varied career that included serving as a private in the Confederate Army, working as a lawyer and church organist and serving on the faculty at Johns Hopkins University. Hint

Sidney Lanier

Henry Van Dyke, Jr.

Harry Emerson Fosdick

James Russell Lowell

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. This poet's best known hymn was written at Christmas Eve 1845 in opposition to the Mexican-American War. Hint

James Russell Lowell

John Greenleaf Whittier

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which of these authors' best-known hymn was written as a Christmas hymn?

Answer: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The hymn is "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day." It was written after Longfellow's wife died in a fire in their home.

2. This author's much-loved and universally known children's hymn was contained in a novel that was NOT written by the hymnist.

Answer: Anna Bartlett Warner

The hymn is "Jesus Love Me." It was featured in Warner's sister, Susan Warner's novel, "The Wide, Wide World." Anna was also a novelist. Some of the novels of the two sisters were written jointly.

3. This author and hymnist's wife died in a fire in their home. In trying to save her, he burned his own face badly. From that point on, he wore a beard.

Answer: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Most photos of Longfellow show him with a full white beard. His most famous poems include "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere", "Evangeline" and "The Courtship of Miles Standish."

4. Which of these ministers, also author and hymnist, was the eighth president of Yale College?

Answer: Timothy Dwight IV

Dwight's father had attended Yale, and his mother, Mary Edwards, was the daughter of minister and theologian, Jonathan Edwards. This made him a first cousin to controversial Vice President under Jefferson, Aaron Burr.

5. One of these penned the words of a popular hymn sung to a majestic tune by Beethoven.

Answer: Henry Van Dyke, Jr.

The hymn is "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee." Van Dyke also wrote the Christmas story, "The Other Wise Man." Other great composers whose tunes were used as settings for hymns include Handel, J.S. Bach, Mendelssohn, Gottschalk, Schumann and Schubert.

6. One hymnist whose father and brother were ministers wrote a fiery anti-slavery book that stirred up the nation.

Answer: Harriet Beecher Stowe

The book, as you likely know, is "Uncle Tom's Cabin." Almost as well known as Stowe was her brother, Henry Ward Beecher, one of the most popular evangelists of his day. Besides preaching, he went on lecture tours and was known for supplying rifles, known as 'Beecher's Bibles' to abolitionists fighting in Kansas and Nebraska.

7. This Quaker poet probably has more hymns in modern hymnals than many others.

Answer: John Greenleaf Whittier

Whittier's best known hymn,"Dear Lord and Father of Mankind", is taken from his longer poem, "The Brewing of Soma." He was also known for his anti-slavery writings and his long narrative poem, "Snow-Bound."

8. Which of these hymnists was at one time America's best-selling female author?

Answer: Both Harriet Beecher Stowe and Susan Warner

Stowe was eight years older than Susan Warner. But the latter got a start slightly ahead of Stowe in publishing novels. Of the many novels written by Stowe, Susan and her sister, Anna Bartlett Warner, only Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin" has wide name recognition today.

Answer: Sidney Lanier

As an organist and flautist, Lanier gave musical performances. He wrote poems, essays on literary and musical topics, adventure stories for boys and travelogues. He contracted tuberculosis while in a military prison during the war, which eventually led to his death in 1881.

10. This poet's best known hymn was written at Christmas Eve 1845 in opposition to the Mexican-American War.

Answer: James Russell Lowell

Lowell's hymn, "Once to Every Man and Nation", is sung to a Welsh melody. In addition to his writing, he edited an abolitionist newspaper, and later became the first editor of "The Atlantic Monthly."

Source: Author GLBlesi

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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