Caswall studied at Brasenose College, Oxford (B.A., 1836; M.A., 1838). He graduated in 1836 with honors. He was curate of Stratford-sub-Castle, near Salisbury, 1840–47. In 1850, his wife having died the previous year, he joined the Oratory of St. Philip Neri under Newman, to whose influence his conversion to Roman Catholicism was due.
He wrote original poems that have mainly survived only in Catholic hymnals due to a clear adherence to Catholic doctrine. Caswall is best known for his translations from the Roman Breviary and other Latin sources, which are marked by faithfulness to the original and purity of rhythm. They were published in Lyra Catholica, containing all the breviary and missal hymns (London, 1849); The Masque of Mary (1858); and A May Pageant (1865). Hymns and Prose (1873) are the three books combined with many of the hymns rewritten or revised.
Among the more popular of Caswall's translations are the hymns, "Jesu, the very thought of Thee," "O Jesu, King most wonderful," "When morning gilds the skies," and "The sun is sinking fast," all of which are variously modified from the originals given in "The Masque of Mary and other Poems."
Requiescat in pace!
Caswall studied at Brasenose College, Oxford (B.A., 1836; M.A., 1838). He graduated in 1836 with honors. He was curate of Stratford-sub-Castle, near Salisbury, 1840–47. In 1850, his wife having died the previous year, he joined the Oratory of St. Philip Neri under Newman, to whose influence his conversion to Roman Catholicism was due.
He wrote original poems that have mainly survived only in Catholic hymnals due to a clear adherence to Catholic doctrine. Caswall is best known for his translations from the Roman Breviary and other Latin sources, which are marked by faithfulness to the original and purity of rhythm. They were published in Lyra Catholica, containing all the breviary and missal hymns (London, 1849); The Masque of Mary (1858); and A May Pageant (1865). Hymns and Prose (1873) are the three books combined with many of the hymns rewritten or revised.
Among the more popular of Caswall's translations are the hymns, "Jesu, the very thought of Thee," "O Jesu, King most wonderful," "When morning gilds the skies," and "The sun is sinking fast," all of which are variously modified from the originals given in "The Masque of Mary and other Poems."
Requiescat in pace!
Advertisement
See more Caswall memorials in:
Advertisement