Hawker, Robert, a clergyman of the Church of England, was born at Exeter, England, in 1753, and was educated for the medical profession, becoming a doctor of medicine. After taking holy orders, he became incumbent of a Church in Plymouth, and remained there until his death, April 6, 1827. He was noted as a polemical preacher and writer, and also as the author and compiler of one of the earliest and most popular of the hymn books for children called forth by the Sunday school movement. His Psalms and Hymns Sung by the Sunday School (published about 1787) passed through thirteen editions. His most famous hymn is the doxology found in this Hymnal:

Lord, dismiss us with thy blessing 723