Harry Emerson Fosdick

Harry Emerson Fosdick (1878–1969) was one of the most prominent and influential American clergymen of the 20th century. A central figure in the modernist-fundamentalist controversies of the 1920s, Fosdick was an eloquent defender of a liberal Christian theology that sought to reconcile faith with modern science and social progress. Educated at Colgate University and Union Theological Seminary, he served as a professor of practical theology for over three decades and was the founding pastor of the interdenominational Riverside Church in New York City, a monumental cathedral built with the support of John D. Rockefeller Jr.

Fosdick's influence extended far beyond the pulpit through his radio broadcasts, his numerous books, and his appearance on the cover of Time magazine in 1925. However, he is perhaps most universally remembered in the context of hymnody for his masterpiece, "God of grace and God of glory." Written in 1930 for the opening of Riverside Church, the hymn is a stirring prayer for wisdom and courage in the face of the daunting challenges of the modern era. Its powerful imagery—calling for the "cure of children's warring madness" and for God to "save us from weak resignation"—captured the anxieties and hopes of a generation living between two world wars.

The hymn’s immense popularity is evident in its inclusion in over 150 different hymnals and its translation into several languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, and even Esperanto. While Fosdick wrote other notable texts, such as "O God, in restless living," none reached the iconic status of his 1930 composition. His writing style was characterized by a robust, prophetic tone that combined deep personal piety with an urgent call for social justice.

Throughout his career at Union Theological Seminary and his various pastorates, Fosdick remained committed to the idea that the "living of these days" required a faith that was intellectually honest and ethically engaged. By the time of his death in 1969, he had left a legacy as a "minister to the modern world," providing the church with a vocabulary of worship that was both timeless in its devotion and timely in its application to the struggles of contemporary life.

• ounding Pastor: Riverside Church, New York (1929–1946).

• "God of grace and God of glory": His most famous hymn, written for the dedication of Riverside Church.

• Academic Career: Professor at Union Theological Seminary (1915–1946).

• Books: A Guide to Understanding the Bible and his autobiography, The Living of These Days.