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hero, in Greek religion

(Encyclopedia)hero, in Greek religion, famous person, who after his death, was worshiped as quasi-divine. The heroes might be actual great men and women, real or imaginary ancestors, or “faded” gods and goddess...

Longfellow, Samuel

(Encyclopedia)Longfellow, Samuel, 1819–92, American clergyman and hymn writer, b. Portland, Maine; brother and biographer of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. He was a Unitarian pastor in Fall River, Mass., Brooklyn, N...

Doddridge, Philip

(Encyclopedia)Doddridge, Philip, 1702–51, English nonconformist minister and noted hymn writer. His Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul (1745) has been much translated. His many hymns include “Awake, My S...

Sarpedon

(Encyclopedia)Sarpedon särpēˈdən [key], in Greek mythology, son of Zeus and Laodamia, who was the daughter of Bellerophon. In the Iliad, as an ally of the Trojans, Sarpedon courageously led the Lycians against ...

Heber, Reginald

(Encyclopedia)Heber, Reginald, 1783–1826, English clergyman and hymn writer. He became bishop of Calcutta (now Kolkata) in 1823. Several volumes of his poems and of his sermons were published, but he is best know...

Prudentius

(Encyclopedia)Prudentius (Aurelius Clemens Prudentius) pro͞odĕnˈshəs [key], b. 348, Christian Latin poet, b. Spain. He wrote a number of hymns, occasional Christian lyrics, and poems on saints. Although he held...

Belleau, Remy

(Encyclopedia)Belleau, Remy rāmēˈ bĕlōˈ [key], 1528–77, French poet of the Pléiade (see under Pleiad). His Bergerie (1565), a collection of poems in a framework of prose, celebrates nature in sonnets, odes...

Hilary of Poitiers, Saint

(Encyclopedia)Hilary of Poitiers, Saint poitērzˈ, poiˈtyā [key], c.315–367?, bishop of Poitiers from c.350, Doctor of the Church. A convert from paganism, he distinguished himself as a supporter of Athanasius...

Holden, Oliver

(Encyclopedia)Holden, Oliver hōlˈdən [key], 1765–1844, American composer and compiler of hymns, b. Shirley, Mass. His popular tune Coronation, to Edward Perronet's hymn All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name, first...

Ballou, Hosea

(Encyclopedia)Ballou, Hosea, 1771–1852, American clergyman, foremost among expositors of Universalism in the United States, b. Cheshire co., N.H. From 1818 until his death he was pastor of the Second Universalist...

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