William Edward Hickson

William Edward Hickson (January 7, 1803 – March 22, 1870) was a British educational writer. He was the author of "Time and Faith" and was the editor of "The Westminster Review" (1840-1852). He wrote an "improved" version of the British national anthem whose verses were included in the version of "God Save the King" published in the English Hymnal.

Hickson was the son of William Hickson, a boot and shoe manufacturer of Smithfield, London. Having studied schools in The Netherlands and Germany, he retired from the family business in 1840 to concentrate on philanthropic pursuits: particularly the cause of elementary education. [cite book | last =Aldrich | first = Richard J|coauthors=Gordon, Peter| title = Dictionary of British Educationists| publisher =Routledge | date =1989 | pages =p.112 |isbn=0713001771] He became editor and proprietor of The Westminster Review which was notable for its commitment to legislative reform and popular education.

He is credited with writing the proverb:

:'Tis a lesson you should heed::Try, try, try again.:If at first you don't succeed,:Try, try, try again. [cite book | last = | first = | title = Oxford Dictionary of Quotations (3rd edition) | publisher = Oxford University Press| date = 1979| pages =p.251 |isbn=]

He died at Fairseat, Stansted, Kent, where he was buried.

Works

*"The Singing master" (1836)
*"Dutch and German Schools" (1840)
*"Part Singing" (1842)
*"Time and faith" — 2 vols. (1857)

References