He was a priest, composer and translator born in Hawley, Hampshire, England, whose father was a curate. He studied at Westminster School and Keble School, Oxford and after graduating with a BA in 1896 was ordained as a deacon in 1898 and into priesthood the following year.
He went to Madresfield to work for Earl Beauchamp and this is when he composed a hymn and made three translations for submission to the English Hymnal in 1906. His compositions include the hymn “It is Finished” and the translation of “O Boundless Wisdom, God Most High”, “Hail Thee Festival Day” and a further version of “Angelus ad Virginem” which he called “Came The Archangel to the Maid”.
He died in England in 1948 when he was 74.
Sources:
- http://www.cyberhymnal.org/bio/g/i/l/gillett_g.htm
- http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/i/t/itisfini.htm
- http://www.oremus.org/hymnal/h/h031.html
- http://www.hymnsandcarolsofchristmas.com/Hymns_and_Carols/came_the_archangel_to_the_maid.htm