KIRKPATRICK, WILLIAM JAMES (1838-1921)

William James Kirkpatrick was born on 27 February 1838 in Duncannon, PA. He received formal training in music at a young age and he also learned the trade of carpentry to supplement his income from music. He was a fife major in the 91^st Regiment of the Union Army during the Civil War.

He published about fifty volumes of hymns during his life, most of them after the death of his first wife in 1878. William died at his home on the night of 20 September 1921 doing what he loved most, writing hymns.