Ira Sankey (1840 - 1908)
Ira Sankey became a famous as a music director during a series of revival meetings in England with D.L. Moody. He made "Singing the Gospel" popular. Sankey's tunes were very rousing and complimented Moody's preaching. He also directed the congregations in singing, and became as effective a revivalist with song as Moody was in his sermons. Sankey elevated music to a new role with preaching in evangelism. Three of his more famous hymns are, "The Ninety and Nine", "A Shelter in the Time of Storm," and "Faith is the Victory." From 1895 to his death in 1908 Sankey was President of Biglow and Main, the Publishing firm responsible for printing many of his works.
