Samuel Stanley (composer)

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Samuel Stanley (1767–1822) was an English cellist and composer of hymn tunes. He was born in Birmingham and served as the choir leader at Carr's Lane Chapel until 1818, when he and some worshippers moved to Ebenezer Chapel in Steelhouse Lane. He played cello with the Birmingham Theatre Orchestra and performed at the Birmingham Triennial Music Festivals in 1799, 1802 and 1817. He also ran the Crown Tavern on Great Charles Street.

Stanley published three books of hymn tunes. In his lifetime he issued: Twenty Four Tunes in Four Parts (1802); Nineteen Psalm, Hymn, & Charity Hymn Tunes (around 1804); and Two Psalm Tunes (1805). After his death, Sacred Music, Comprising Twenty New Psalm & Hymn Tunes appeared (around 1825). The three books were re-issued around 1830.

Some tunes from his first book are still used in hymnals today, including Warwick, Shirland, Doversdale, Stonefield and Calvary. The Christmas hymn Star of Bethlehem, from his second book with words by Jehoiada Brewer, is still sung in the Sheffield carol tradition and is sometimes claimed as a Cornish carol.