Introduction
John Julian (27 January 1839 – 23 January 1913) (no middle name on birth certificate) was a Church of England clergyman, known as the editor of A Dictionary of Hymnology which remains a common reference for those studying hymnody and hymnology. His own estimate was that there were 400,000 hymns in the scope of his chosen field; his correspondents for research numbered over 1000.
Life
Julian graduated from Durham University (MA, 1887). He was awarded a Lambeth degree (DD, 1894), and an honorary degree from Howard University, Washington DC (LL.D., 1894).
He was Vicar of Topcliffe, Yorkshire and later Vicar of Wincobank. In November 1901 he was appointed Prebendary of Church Fenton in York Minster. He later became a Canon of York.
He also wrote Concerning Hymns (1874), History of the Use of Hymns in Public Worship, and Their Proper Characteristics (1894), and Carols, Ancient and Modern (1900).