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Edmund H. Sears

Edmund Hamilton Sears (April 6, 1810 – January 14, 1876) was an American Unitarian parish minister and author who wrote a number of theological works influencing 19th-century liberal Protestants. Today, Sears is primarily known as the man who penned the words to "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" in 1849. It has been sung to two tunes, one by Richard Storrs Willis and another adapted by Arthur Sullivan from a traditional English air.

Sears originally wrote the song as a melancholy reflection on his times while a minister in Wayland, Massachusetts, US. However, "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear" has since become a popular Christmas carol.

Birth and Death Data: Born April 6, 1810, Died January 14, 1876

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1914 - 1947

Roles Represented in DAHR: lyricist

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor C-15262 12-in. 10/7/1914 It came upon the midnight clear Victor Oratorio Chorus Vocal chorus, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor CVE-15262 12-in. 8/27/1926 It came upon the midnight clear Trinity Choir Chorus, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor C-20826 12-in. 10/2/1917 It came upon the midnight clear Victor Mixed Chorus Vocal chorus and soloists, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor BVE-33155 10-in. 8/10/1925 Calm on the listening ear of night Shannon Quartet Male vocal quartet, with orchestra lyricist  
Victor BS-75067 10-in. 2/9/1933 Songs for children (Hymns) Elsie Baker ; Myrtle C. Eaver ; Olive Kline ; Lambert Murphy ; Elliott Shaw Mixed vocal quartet, with piano lyricist  
Victor PBS-09061 10-in. 12/2/1936 It came upon the midnight clear Homer Hall Glee Club Male vocal chorus, with electric organ and celeste lyricist  
Victor BS-026904 10-in. 9/8/1938 It came upon the midnight clear Lewis White Mixed vocal chorus, with violin, organ, and harp lyricist  
Victor D7VB-1593 10-in. 8/27/1947 It came upon the midnight clear Dick Leibert Organ solo lyricist  
Columbia 81178 10-in. 8/15/1923 It came upon the midnight clear Criterion Quartet Male vocal quartet, with orchestra lyricist  
Columbia W144656 10-in. 9/10/1927 It came upon the midnight clear American Singers Male vocal quartet, with instrumental quartet lyricist  
Brunswick 6440-6442 10-in. approximately Sept. 1921 It came upon the midnight clear Cathedral Choir Male vocal chorus, with orchestra lyricist  
Brunswick E20087-E20089 10-in. 9/11/1926 It came upon the midnight clear Cathedral Choir Male vocal chorus, with orchestra lyricist  
Edison 4133 10-in. 9/21/1915 It came upon the midnight clear The Carol Singers Mixed vocal chorus, with orchestra lyricist  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Sears, Edmund H.," accessed March 19, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106230.

Sears, Edmund H.. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 19, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106230.

"Sears, Edmund H.." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 19 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/106230

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