Nahum Tate, 1652-1715, and Nicholas Brady, 1659-1726.

Notes from Dr. Julian's Hymnology:

Nahum Tate.

Tate was the son of Faithful Tate, an Irish clergyman, author of some religious verses. He was born in Dublin (1652) and educated at Trinity College. He wrote under Dryden's superintendence, the second part of "Absalom and Achitophel" with the exception of about two hundred lines. He succeeded Shadwell as Poet Laureate. Among his works are "Characters of Virtue and Vice" (1691), Miscellanea Sacra", a selection from various writers (1696-8) and "Panacea, a Poem on Tea". He is said to have been a man of intemperate and improvident life. He wrote a reply to Beveridge, defending the style of the version (New version of the Psalms) on Literary grounds. (Essay on Psalmody, 1710). He died in London in 1715.

Nicholas Brady.

Brady was born at Bandon (1659). He was educated at Westminster and went afterwards to Christ Church, Oxford, and to Trinity College, Dublin. From the latter he received the degree of D.D. for services to the Protestant cause. He was Prebendary of Cork. In the Irish war he was an active adherent of William; and three times saved his native town from burning. Coming from Bandon with a petition to William, he remained in London and was appointed Chaplain to the King; and afterwards (1702-5) incumbent of Stratford-on-Avon. He had previously been minister of St. Catherine Cres, and lecturer of St. Michael's, Wood Street; probably holding some or all of these appointments in plurality. Notwithstanding the income derived from his appointments, his extravagance obliged him to keep a school, while incumbent of Richmond (1710). He died in 1726. Besides several volumes of sermons, he published a tragedy called "The Rape, or the Innocent Imposters" and a poetical translation of the "Aeneid of Virgil" in four volumes.

Their hymn in 'Spiritual Songs' is no. 116, "O render thanks to God above". It has been suggested by Julian that Brady was the theologian and Tate the poetical workman.

Hymns by Nahum Tate