Phillips Brooks

NAME Phillips Brooks

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Phillips Brooks is best known as an influential American Episcopal clergyman, author, and lyricist of the Christmas hymn "O Little Town of Bethlehem."

BIRTH Phillips Brooks was born on December 13, 1835, in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Brooks came from a prominent and devoutly religious family. His father, William Gray Brooks, was a successful merchant, and his mother, Mary Ann Phillips Brooks, was a member of a distinguished New England family with deep Puritan roots.

Brooks maintained close relationships with his siblings, several of whom also became Episcopalian priests

CHILDHOOD Brooks grew up in a privileged environment that valued education and religion. His family’s strong faith and commitment to the Episcopal Church profoundly influenced his early life.

EDUCATION Phillips Brooks attended the Boston Latin School and later Harvard University, where he graduated in 1855. He then attended the Virginia Theological Seminary, completing his studies in 1859.

CAREER RECORD After graduating from Virginia Theological Seminary, Brooks was ordained deacon in the Episcopal Church by Bishop William Meade of Virginia. Here's his resume:

Served as Rector of the Church of the Advent in Philadelphia (1859-1862)

Became Rector of the prominent Church of the Holy Trinity in Philadelphia (1862-1869)

Gained national recognition for his powerful and eloquent sermons

Served as Rector of Trinity Church in Boston (1869-1891) - his most influential position

Elected Bishop of Massachusetts in 1891, but served a short term due to his untimely death

APPEARANCE Phillips Brooks was known for his imposing stature, standing over six feet tall, with a robust build and a commanding presence. He possessed a warm and expressive face. 

Phillips Brooks

FASHION He dressed in the traditional clerical garb of the Episcopal Church, often seen in a black cassock and a white clerical collar, reflecting his conservative and professional style.

CHARACTER Brooks was known for his warm, compassionate nature and his ability to connect with people from all walks of life. His sermons were characterized by their eloquence, clarity, and deep spirituality. He was described as having a joyful and optimistic spirit

SENSE OF HUMOUR Brooks had a keen sense of humor, often using wit and a knack for storytelling to engage his congregation and illustrate his sermons.

RELATIONSHIPS  He maintained close relationships with his family and was deeply admired by his parishioners. Despite his popularity and many friendships, Brooks remained a lifelong bachelor.

MONEY AND FAME Though not wealthy by modern standards, Brooks lived comfortably due to his family's support and his church positions. His fame came from his influential sermons and writings, rather than personal wealth.

FOOD AND DRINK Details about Brooks's specific preferences in food and drink are not well-documented, but it can be inferred that he enjoyed the traditional New England fare of his time.

MUSIC AND ARTS Brooks had a profound appreciation for music, evidenced by his contribution to hymnody. His interest in the arts extended to literature and architecture, particularly seen in his involvement in the design of Trinity Church, Boston.

During a starry Christmas Eve in 1865. Young Phillips was perched on a Bethlehem hilltop not unlike the shepherds of yore, gazed up at the heavens. That celestial display, it seems, left an indelible mark on his soul. Three years later, tasked with whipping up a Christmas hymn for his Philadelphia parish's cherubic choir, the words "O Little Town of Bethlehem" practically tumbled out of him. Brook’s church organist, Lewis Redner, set the words to music, declaring that the tune was "a gift from heaven."

LITERATURE  In 1878, he published his first volume of sermons, and from time to time issued other volumes, including Sermons Preached in English Churches (1883) and The Candle of the Lord and Other Sermons (1895).  A prolific writer, his works are still studied for their theological insights and eloquence.

NATURE Brooks appreciated the beauty of nature, often reflecting on the natural world in his sermons and writings.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Brooks enjoyed reading, writing, and engaging in intellectual discussions. He was also known to be an avid traveler.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Brooks respected the advancements in science and often incorporated contemporary scientific thought into his theological reflections.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Brooks was a leading figure in American religious thought, emphasizing the love of God and the importance of personal faith. His theology was inclusive and progressive for his time. His sermons addressed contemporary social issues alongside traditional religious themes. Brooks was considered the most "considerable American preacher of his generation." 

When the disability right activist Helen Keller was young, Phillips Brooks introduced her to Christianity, Keller famously said: "I always knew He was there, but I didn't know His name!

SCANDAL Phillips Brooks led a life marked by integrity and was not involved in any significant scandals.

MILITARY RECORD Brooks did not serve in the military. However, his ministry during the Civil War era included addressing the moral and spiritual needs of his congregation in a time of national conflict.

During the Civil War, Brooks stood firmly (and some might say righteously) on the side of the abolitionists. 

His eulogy for Abraham Lincoln was a tearjerker of epic proportions, capturing the essence of both men in a way that left audiences misty-eyed and clutching handkerchiefs. Even a Harvard commemoration for fallen Civil War soldiers got the Brooks treatment, his sermon echoing across the nation like a particularly eloquent foghorn.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Brooks was generally robust and healthy throughout his life, although his heavy workload and commitment to his ministry took a toll on his health in his later years.

In his later years, Brooks was recovering from a life-threatening illness. Visitors were politely shown the door, but there was one exception: Colonel Bob Ingersoll, a notorious freethinker and champion of agnosticism. Intrigued,  Ingersoll accepted the summons. The reason for this unorthodox request? Brooks was confident of seeing his Christian friends in the afterlife, but not the agnostic Ingersoll. 

HOMES Throughout his career, Brooks resided in rectories associated with the churches he served.

Philadelphia (1859-1869): During his time in Philadelphia, Brooks lived in rectories associated with the Church of the Advent and the Church of the Holy Trinity.

Boston (1869-1893): His most influential position was as Rector of Trinity Church in Boston. The rectory associated with Trinity Church likely served as his primary residence during this period.

TRAVEL Brooks traveled extensively in Europe and the Holy Land, journeys that influenced his theological perspective and enriched his preaching. In 1880, Brooks traveled to England to deliver sermons at prestigious churches, including Westminster Abbey. This trip garnered him national recognition and solidified his reputation as a skilled and influential preacher.

DEATH Phillips Brooks died on January 23, 1893, in Boston, Massachusetts, after a brief illness. His death was widely mourned, and he was remembered as one of the most influential American preachers of his time.

He is buried in Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Brooks has been featured in various biographical works and studies of American religious history. 

His enduring legacy includes the beloved Christmas carol "O Little Town of Bethlehem. The hymn's lyrics, penned by Brooks in 1868, have become a cherished part of Christmas celebrations worldwide. his beloved carol has been reinterpreted by countless musicians, with iconic versions by Gene Autry, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, and legends like Nat King Cole, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Mahalia Jackson, Dolly Parton, and Annie Lennox.

The song's poignant message has graced the soundtracks of numerous holiday films, including classics like Christmas in Connecticut (1943). It's also featured in movies with a more comedic twist, such as The Ref (1994) and Four Christmases (2008). 

"O Little Town of Bethlehem" has also found a home on the small screen, appearing in episodes of beloved shows like The Bob Newhart Show (1972), Little House on the Prairie (1981), and The Simpsons (1989). 

ACHIEVEMENTS Phillips Brooks’ achievements include his renowned preaching, his role in the design and building of Trinity Church, Boston, his contributions to hymnody, and his leadership as Bishop of Massachusetts. His legacy endures in the continued study and appreciation of his sermons and writings.

Brooks is honored on the Episcopal Church liturgical calendar on the day of his death, January 23.