Robert Wilfrid Callin

CALLIN, Robert Wilfrid. b. Douglas, Isle of Man, 1886; d. Bradford, Yorkshire, 11 June 1951. He was the son of the hymn writer Robert Callin (1859-1934; see ‘Isle of Man hymnody’*). Robert Wilfrid trained for the Primitive Methodist ministry at Hartley College, Manchester (1906-09), and served as a minister in numerous circuits, including Grimsby in 1914, where he wrote his best-known hymn, ‘O Lord of every lovely thing’*. His final appointment was as chairman of the Bradford district of the Methodist church. During the First World War he served with bravery and distinction with the Northumberland Fusiliers and the Black Watch. Callin was a member of the committee that produced the Hymnal...