Montgomery, James, 1771-1854

Scottish poet,hymn writer, and humanitarian.

From the description of James Montgomery letter to an unidentified correspondent [manuscript], undated. (University of Virginia). WorldCat record id: 456423757

Virgil David was president of the Lawrenceville Lyceum in Western Pennsylvania.

From the description of Autograph letter signed : the Mount near Sheffield, England, to Virgil David, Lawrenceville, Pa., 1837 June 12. (University of Chicago Library). WorldCat record id: 78169216

From the description of Autograph letter signed : the Mount near Sheffield, England, to Virgil David, Lawrenceville, Pa., 1837 June 12. (University of Chicago Library). WorldCat record id: 55822440

James Montgomery (1771-1854) was a British editor and poet.

From the guide to the James Montgomery Autograph, undated, (Ohio University)

Epithet: of Sheffield

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000001039.0x000023

James Montgomery was an English poet, journalist, and social reformer. Evangelical and liberal influences abound in his verse, and help define his time as editor of the Sheffield Iris. His life and writing continue to inform studies of radical movements in England during his era. He is probably best remembered today for his many hymns.

From the description of The balloon, 1814 Oct. 22. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 54484357

Poet and musician.

From the description of Biography of James Montgomery, undated. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 79453859

The minor poet James Montgomery was born in Irvine, Ayrshire, on 4 November 1771. He was sent to the Moravian school (the Moravians are a religious community) at Fulneck, near Leeds, and while there began writing poetry. Work followed in a bakery and then in a store, and then to the offices of the Sheffield Register . Facing prosecution, the proprietor and editor of the journal - a reformer - escaped to America, and Montgomery became the working editor and then the owner of the title which he changed to the Sheffield Iris . He too faced prosecution over his publishing content and he spent time in York Castle prison for describing a Sheffield riot in 1795. Poetry rather than journalism was his forte however and his work included The ocean (1805), The common lot (1805), The wanderer of Switzerland (1806), The West Indies (1809), The world before the flood (1812), Greenland (1819) and The pelican island (1827). James Montgomery died on 30 April 1854.

From the guide to the Papers of James Montgomery (1771-1854), 1841, (Edinburgh University Library)

James Montgomery, Scots-born hymn writer and poet.

From the guide to the James Montgomery manuscript material : 6 items, 1803-1838, (The New York Public Library. Carl H. Pforzheimer Collection of Shelley and His Circle.)

Epithet: Lieutenant; 75th Foot

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000678.0x000148

English poet, author of "The pelican island and other poems", 1827.

From the description of Autograph, [1827?]. (Ohio University). WorldCat record id: 13110366

James Montgomery was a journalist, poet, and activist. Raised in Ireland by Moravian parents, the young Montgomery neglected his studies to write poetry. He emigrated to England to look for a job and a publisher, and found himself working for a reform newspaper in Sheffield; when the paper's publisher fled the country to escape prosecution, Montgomery took over as editor. He became well-known for his poetry, including some book-length poems, and later in life wrote numerous popular hymns. His religious beliefs encouraged him to social activism, and he was imprisoned twice for his stands.

From the description of James Montgomery poems and note, 1827-1831. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 61356060

The collection includes reminiscences of James Montgomery (1771-1854), poems and manuscripts by him, printed works and illustrations. Also included is a scrapbook entitled Negro's album of the Sheffield Anti-Slavery Society, 1828, and material on Montgomery assembled by Mary Anne Rawson (ne Read).

James Montgomery was born at Irvine in Ayrshire on November 4th, 1771. He was sent to a Moravian school at Fulneck, near Leeds at an early age, and left aged 16 to become apprenticed to a shopkeeper. An attempt to make his way in London failed, and he returned to South Yorkshire, where he was appointed assistant editor to the Sheffield Register, to which he contributed extensively. The proprietor and editor of the Register, an ardent reformer, got into political trouble and absconded to America, enabling Montgomery to take over as editor. In an effort to disarm the political hostility of the Government he changed the name of the Register to the Iris, and adopted a more moderate political line. Montgomery underwent two prosecutions for libel, instituted as a means of intimidating the Sheffield political clubs, each time being committed to York Prison. As well as making his journalistic contributions Montgomery was also a poet, The Wanderer of Switzerland of 1806 attracting public attention, and in 1809 he produced a poem on the slave trade, The West Indies, which gained great popularity. He also produced numerous hymns. Montgomery lived in Sheffield for 62 of his 83 years, and in later years was accounted a local hero.

From the guide to the James Montgomery Manuscripts, [ca. 1800]-1850, (University of Sheffield Library)