Bishop Timothy Dudley-Smith Passes Away
- Bishop Timothy Dudley-Smith, known for hymn collections, passes away.
- He served as the Bishop of Thetford and was an honorary vice-president of the Hymn Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
- His contributions to the Church of England and hymnody are remembered fondly.
Timothy Dudley-Smith, the former suffragan bishop of Thetford, passed away at the age of 97, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of over 450 hymns composed throughout his 60-year career. Despite his claims of being "totally unmusical," Dudley-Smith's most famous hymn, "Tell Out, My Soul the Greatness of the Lord," has been published more than 190 times and is featured in at least 220 modern hymnals, resonating across the English-speaking Anglican and Episcopalian communities. Born in Manchester, Dudley-Smith was educated at Tonbridge public school and studied mathematics at Pembroke College, Cambridge. His spiritual journey was influenced by the writings of C.S. Lewis, leading him to train for ordination at Ridley Hall, Cambridge. After his ordination in 1950, he became involved in youth ministry in Bermondsey, where he was inspired by American evangelist Billy Graham during his landmark visit to the UK in 1954. Dudley-Smith served as general secretary for the Church Pastoral Aid Society and later became archdeacon of Norwich before his tenure as suffragan bishop from 1981 to 1991. Although he remained committed to traditional hymnody, his works often reflected a timeless quality, with many of his hymns being translated into languages such as Korean and Chinese. His annual tradition of sending new carols to friends with Christmas cards exemplified his enduring passion for hymn writing.