Julia Ward Howe
1819–1910 · USA · Classical
Julia Ward Howe (1819-1910) was an American writer, abolitionist, and women's rights activist whose most enduring contribution to hymnody is "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," composed in 1861. A Unitarian by faith, she wrote the text during a visit to a Union Army camp during the American Civil War, reportedly inspired by the melody of "John Brown's Body." Her hymn became one of the most significant patriotic and spiritual songs in American history, blending themes of Christian faith, moral justice, and national purpose. Beyond hymnody, Howe was a pioneering advocate for social reform and remains a significant figure in both American religious and political history.