Hymn #8: Praise to the Living God
George Job Elvey (1816-1893) composed DIADEMATA in 1868 for the Matthew Bridges hymn “Crown Him with Many Crowns.” It has long been a favorite of hymnwriters and editors, appearing three times in The New Century Hymnal. Diademata is the Greek word for crowns.
George J. Elvey was born in Canterbury, England, and began his musical training as a member of the cathedral choir in that city. He continued his studies at the Royal Academy of Music and at Oxford University and served as organist and choir director for almost fifty years at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor.