William Cowper

William Cowper (1731-1800) was an English poet and hymn writer. Though never a preacher of the gospel, his hymns have blessed generations of the Lord’s people. He became close friends with John Newton, which led to the publication of the Olney Hymns—a collection of hymns designed to be used by Newton’s congregation. Both men were Abolitionists, campaigning to end the slave trade. Cowper wrote several anti-slavery compositions, one of which was called “The Negro’s Complaint”, frequently quoted by Martin Luther King Jr during the civil rights movement of the 20th century.