Josephine Pollard (J. P. Pollard) (17 October 1834 – 15 August 1892) was an American hymn writer, author and poet. Pollard published over a hundred hymns, and wrote numerous popular children's books mostly on religious and historical topics. She worked as an editor for the ''

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'' and worked for the

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, where she edited a magazine intended for

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s. Pollard also wrote for other children's magazines such as ''The Little Corporal''. Her poetry was published in a number of magazines including ''

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'' and ''

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'',, reprinted from the 1885 edition as well as the ''

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''. Some of her children's poetry was collected in the book ''Elfin land'' published in 1882. In her children's books she neither talked over the child's head nor down to it in tones of condescension''.'' Her works have seen a recent resurgence as ''early readers'', spurred by the home-school movement. Pollard was born in New York City one of seven children of architect Calvin Pollard and his wife Electra. She attended the Spingler Institute, an exclusive girls' school. Pollard was a lifelong member of the

Presbyterian Church Presbyterianism is a part of the Reformed tradition within Protestantism that broke from the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland by John Knox, who was a priest at St. Giles Cathedral (Church of Scotland). Presbyterian churches derive their na ...

, and attended the North Presbyterian Church on Ninth Avenue. She was a founding member of the professional women's club

Sorosis Sorosis Club rules in 1869 Sorosis was the first professional women's club in the United States. It was established in March 1868 in New York City. History The club was organized in New York City with 12 members in March 1868, by Jane Cunnin ...

. She never married. Josephine Pollard died in New York City after a long illness on 15 August 1892.

Selected works

Children's books

Her children's books included: * ''Christopher Columbus and the Discovery of the New World in Words of One Syllable'' (1892) * ''Bible Stories for Children (1899)'' * ''History of The Old Testament in Words of One Syllable (1899)'' * ''History of The New Testament in Words of One Syllable (1899)'' * ''The Life of Christ for Young People'' (''Young folks' life of Jesus Christ'') * ''The Life of Washington, A Child's History of America: Told in One-Syllable Words'' * ''The History of the United States Told in One Syllable Words'' (1884)

Hymns

Among the most popular of her hymns were: * ''Beyond the sunset's radiant glow, There is a brighter world, I know'' * ''I have work enough to do, Ere the sun goes down'' * ''I stood outside the gate'' * ''Joybells ringing, children singing'' * ''There are lights by the shore of that country'' * Tis the Savior who would claim entrance to your heart'' also known as ''Let the Savoir In''

Poetry

Pollard's poems include: * ''The Brave Little Tailor'' * ''The Price of a Drink'', a reprint of * ''A Vagrant''

Notes

External links

* * * * * List of hymns by Josephine Pollard * Words by Josephine Pollard in songs o
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Pollard, Josephine 1834 births 1892 deaths American children's writers American women poets Children's poets American Christian writers American temperance activists Writers from New York City 19th-century American poets American women children's writers 19th-century American women writers American women non-fiction writers Wikipedia articles incorporating text from A Woman of the Century