William Arms Fisher
1859–1948 · USA · Romantic
William Arms Fisher (1859-1948) was an American composer, music editor, and hymnologist who made significant contributions to Protestant church music in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He served as director of music at Boston's Old South Church, where he championed the preservation and performance of congregational hymns. Fisher was renowned for his scholarly work in hymn authentication and editing, helping to establish accurate texts and attributions for American hymn traditions. He composed original hymn tunes and arrangements while also advocating for the integration of high-quality sacred music into worship services. His legacy established him as an important figure in American hymnological scholarship and Protestant liturgical music practice.