Sir John Bowring
1792-1872. English linguist, writer, traveler, diplomat. He served for some time as a member of Parliament before going to the Far East in the foreign service. After a period as consul in Canton, he eventually became governor of Hong Kong. For his research work he was made a Fellow of the Royal Society. Author of many poems and hymns, he is now chiefly remembered for his “In the cross of Christ I glory,” written in 1825 and made famous by Stainer in his oratorio The Crucifixion (1887). Also well known is “Watchman! tell us of the night.”