NEALE John Mason

NEALE John Mason (24.I.1818–6.VIII.1866) was an Anglican priest, scholar and hymnwriter. Neale was born in London (now UK), his parents being the clergyman Cornelius Neale and Susanna Neale. He was educated at Sherborne School, Dorset, and Trinity College, Cambridge.

At the age of 22 Neale was the chaplain of Downing College, Cambridge. In 1846 he became warden of Sackville College, an almshouse at East Grinstead, an appointment which he held until his death.

Neale translated the Eastern liturgies into English, and wrote a mystical and devotional commentary on the Psalms. However, he is best known as a hymnwriter and, especially, translator, having enriched English hymnody with many ancient and mediaeval hymns  translated from Latin and Greek. For example, the melody of Good King Wenceslas originates from a medieval Latin springtime poem, Tempus adest floridum.