Elliott, Charlotte (1789–1871)

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Elliott, Charlotte (1789–1871)

English hymn writer. Name variations: Charlotte Elliot. Born Mar 18, 1789, in Clapham, Surrey, England; died Sept 22, 1871, in Brighton, East Sussex, England; grew up in Brighton; dau. of ministers; granddau. of Henry Venn, evangelical leader.

Author of the well-known hymn "Just as I am, without one plea," had dual career in youth as portrait artist and writer of humorous verse, earning nickname "Carefree Charlotte" due to sunny disposition; endured serious illness (1819) and became permanent invalid at 32, sinking into depression; after meeting Genevan evangelist César Malan, was converted to evangelical Christianity and maintained a 40-year correspondence with him; began writing hymns, including "Just as I am, without one plea" (1834) to great success; wrote close to 150 hymns (1834–41), many of which are included in The Invalid's Hymnbook (1836); became editor of The Christian Remembrancer (1836). Additional works include Hours of Sorrow (1836), Hymns for a Week (1839) and Thoughts in Verse on Sacred Subjects (1869).