William Dickson

Dickson, William, eldest surviving son of the late James Dickson, Edinburgh, was born at Edinburgh, July 24, 1817. After being educated at the High School and University of Edinburgh, he entered his father's business, which he still [1887] carries on. He is a prominent elder in the Free Church, has for many years taken a great interest in Sabbath School work, and has for more than 30 years edited The Free Church Children's Record. He has annually written a New Year's hymn since 1842. "Childhood's years are passing o'er us," his best known hymn, originally printed in 1841, as a leaflet for class use, was, in 1846, included in the 2nd part of the Sacred Song Book (see Bateman), and has since been included in many hymnals. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.]

-- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)

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Dickson, William , p. 293, ii. He died at Edinburgh, April 5, 1889.

--John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, Appendix, Part II (1907)