Publisher Description

To most who know the resounding hymn Rock of Ages, its author Augustus Montague Toplady is merely a curious name in the hymnbook. But in this definitive biography, George Lawton reconstructs a vivid portrait of this pious but irascible cleric. A skilful blend of carefully researched historical fact and anecdote brings the 18th century figure to life as the reader follows his career from solitary childhood to Ministry in the Church of England. Toplady emerges as a hymn writer of great merit, and not only for the flash of genius that produced Rock of Ages. Through careful critical appreciation of the major hymns, Dr Lawton draws attention to their poetic qualities and solid doctrinal message. Toplady's desire to promote the Christian message was not limited to hymn writing, and this biography reveals his role as a keen participant in contemporary theological debate. The author charts Toplady's heated battle with Wesley over the relative merits of Calvinism and Arminianism and this forms an exciting central theme that shows his absolute loyalty to the Church of England and his talent for polemical prose.

Author Biography

IEEE Computer

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements Part I: Swords of Controversy 1. An Ill Name 2. Scholars, Snobs and Soldiers 3. A Smug at Westminster 4. Student of Trinity College, Dublin 5. Stars in Their Courses 6. Pale Curate on the Mendips 7. Sabbatical Year 8. Bethel Visits in Devonshire Visits 9. Vicar of Broad Hembury 10. Augustus Fidei Defensor 11. A Supply for the Countess of Huntingdon 12. Preacher, London 13. City Editor 14. The Rock and the Clay 15. Warrior in a Shroud Part II: Songs of a Calvinist Introductory Note 16. Toplady's Teen-age Verse 17. The Broad Hembury Hymns 18. The Mended Hymns of Orange Street Appendix: Toplady's Value to the Lexicographer Notes Bibliography Index

Long Description

To most who know the resounding hymn Rock of Ages, its author Augustus Montague Toplady is merely a curious name in the hymnbook. But in this definitive biography, George Lawton reconstructs a vivid portrait of this pious but irascible cleric. A skilful blend of carefully researched historical fact and anecdote brings the 18th century figure to life as the reader follows his career from solitary childhood to Ministry in the Church of England. Toplady emerges as a hymn writer of great merit, and not only for the flash of genius that produced Rock of Ages. Through careful critical appreciation of the major hymns, Dr Lawton draws attention to their poetic qualities and solid doctrinal message. Toplady's desire to promote the Christian message was not limited to hymn writing, and this biography reveals his role as a keen participant in contemporary theological debate. The author charts Toplady's heated battle with Wesley over the relative merits of Calvinism and Arminianism and this forms an exciting central theme that shows his absolute loyalty to the Church of England and his talent for polemical prose.

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