A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Hymns Ancient and Modern
HYMNS ANCIENT AND MODERN. The originator of this Hymnal was the Rev. Sir Henry Williams Baker, Bart., vicar of Monkland in the diocese of Hereford, who wrote and translated many of the hymns which it contains, and by his ability, by his profound knowledge of hymnology, and by his energetic discharge of the duties of chairman of its committee for twenty years, mainly contributed to its success. After ascertaining by private communications the widely spread desire of Churchmen for greater uniformity in the use of hymns and of hymnbooks in the services of the Church, Sir Henry Baker early in 1858 associated with himself for this object about twenty clergymen, including the editors of many existing Hymnals, who agreed to give up their several books in order as far as might be to promote the use of one.
In the autumn of that year an advertisement was inserted in the 'Guardian' inviting cooperation, to which more than 200 clergymen responded. In January 1859 the committee set to work. A specimen was issued in May of the same year. In 1860 the first Edition was published, with the Imprimatur of Dr. Hampden, Sir Henry Baker's diocesan. The first 'Edition with Tunes,' under the musical editorship of Professor W. H. Monk, King's College, London, appeared March 20, 1861. An 'Appendix' in Dec. 1868, and in 1875 'The Revised and Enlarged Edition,' completing the work.
Since its first introduction 20 million copies of the book have been sold. Its publication is continued at present by the survivors of the original committee, and in the future it will be continued by a body of trustees constituted by deed for its management.