Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1873

Death

:

1958

Genre

:

Vocal

 

George Bennard was a renowned American composer of religious music, best known for his hymn "The Old Rugged Cross." He was born on February 4, 1873, in Youngstown, Ohio, to a family of musicians. His father, George Washington Bennard, was a musician and a minister, and his mother, Sarah Elizabeth, was a singer and a pianist. George Bennard grew up in a musical environment and started playing the guitar and the violin at a young age. Bennard's family moved to Albia, Iowa, when he was a teenager, and he continued to pursue his passion for music. He played in local bands and orchestras and started composing his own music. In 1898, he married Hannah Emma Whitall, and they had four children together. Bennard's career as a composer took off in the early 1900s when he started writing religious music. He was a devout Christian and felt a calling to use his musical talents to spread the gospel. His first major success came in 1912 when he wrote "The Old Rugged Cross." The hymn quickly became popular and has since become one of the most beloved hymns in the Christian tradition. "The Old Rugged Cross" was inspired by a sermon Bennard heard about the cross of Jesus Christ. He was moved by the message and wrote the hymn in just a few hours. The song's simple melody and heartfelt lyrics struck a chord with audiences, and it has been sung in churches and other religious settings ever since. Bennard continued to write religious music throughout his career, and many of his other hymns became popular as well. Some of his other notable works include "Heaven Came Down," "I Will Sing of My Redeemer," and "Take the Name of Jesus with You." His music was known for its simple melodies and powerful messages, and it resonated with audiences around the world. In addition to his work as a composer, Bennard was also a traveling evangelist. He traveled around the United States and Canada, preaching and singing in churches and other venues. He was known for his passionate sermons and his ability to connect with audiences through his music. Bennard's legacy as a composer and evangelist continues to this day. His hymns are still sung in churches around the world, and his music has been recorded by countless artists over the years. He is remembered as a man who used his talents to spread the gospel and inspire others to live a life of faith. George Bennard passed away on October 10, 1958, in Reed City, Michigan. He was 85 years old. Despite his passing, his music continues to inspire and uplift people of all ages and backgrounds. His legacy as a composer and evangelist lives on, and his hymns will continue to be sung for generations to come.

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