Borthwick, Jane Laurie

Author

b Edinburgh, Scotland 1813, d Edinburgh 1897. A member of the Free Ch of Scotland and known for her unassuming gentleness, she was encouraged by her father (James, an insurance office manager) to develop her linguistic gifts together with those of her younger sister Sarah. Jane travelled widely in Europe and in partnership with Sarah (who became Mrs Findlater) between 1854 to 1862 published 4 vols of Hymns from the Land of Luther. Her versions were signed simply ‘H.L.L.’, from the book’s title. She contributed more than 60 items and her sister 53. Further texts of hers appeared in Thoughts for Thoughtful Hours ( 1857/1863) and The Family Treasury, while 1875 saw the publication of her translations from the poetry of Meta Heusser-Schweitzer (1797–1876). Next in popularity to the one hymn chosen for Praise! is the version from Zinzendorf, Jesus, still lead on, till our rest be won. 4 of her translations feature in the 1951 Congregational Praise and the 1962 Baptist Hymn Book, as also in CH. No.754.