Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Nunn, Marianne

1417780Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 41 — Nunn, Marianne1895James Cuthbert Hadden

NUNN, MARIANNE (1778–1847), hymn-writer, daughter of John Nunn of Colchester, was born 17 May 1778. She wrote several sacred pieces, but is remembered solely by the hymn, ‘One there is above all others, O how He loves.’ This is a version adapted to a Welsh air of Newton's hymn beginning with the same line, and it has since undergone several changes at various hands. The original is printed in her brother's (Rev. J. Nunn) ‘Psalms and Hymns,’ 1817, which contains other pieces of hers. She died unmarried in 1847. A younger brother, William Nunn (1786–1840), wrote several hymns, two of which, ‘O could we touch the sacred lyre’ and ‘The Gospel comes ordained of God,’ are in occasional use.

[Julian's Dict. Hymnology; Horder's Hymn Lover; Miller's Singers and Songs, 1869.]

J. C. H.