Emily Elizabeth Steele Elliott — Who She Was

Emily Elizabeth Steele Elliott (1836–1897) was an English Christian writer and hymn‑writer whose work became widely used in churches across Britain and internationally.

She is best remembered today for the Christmas hymn “Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne and Thy Kingly Crown”, which appears in many standard hymnals.

Key Facts

• Born: 22 July 1836, Brighton, Sussex, England
• Died: 3 August 1897, Mildmay, Islington, London
• Family:
  • Father: Rev. Edward Bishop Elliott, rector of St Mark’s Church, Brighton
  • Aunt: Charlotte Elliott, author of “Just As I Am”
  • Uncle: Henry Venn Elliott, noted clergyman
  • Grandfather: Henry Venn of the Clapham Sect

This placed her within one of the most influential evangelical families of the 19th century.

Her Ministry and Writing

Emily Elliott devoted her life to Christian teaching, mission work, and hymn writing.

Hymn Writing

She wrote many hymns for:

• St Mark’s Church, Brighton (where her father was rector)
• The Church Missionary Juvenile Instructor, which she edited for six years

Her major published collections include:

• Chimes of Consecration (1873)
• Chimes for Daily Service (1880)
• Under the Pillow — a large‑type hymnbook for hospitals and the sick

Notable Hymns

• “Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne” (1864) — her most famous hymn, now in many hymnals worldwide
• “There Came a Little Child to Earth” — a popular children’s Christmas hymn

Hymnary.org lists 29 hymns attributed to her.

Missionary Work

Elliott was deeply involved in the Church Missionary Society, editing its children’s magazine for six years and writing hymns for missionary occasions such as:

• “Brothers, sisters, pray for us” (Missionaries’ Farewell)
• “Rabboni, Master, we have heard” (Consecration)

Legacy

Emily Elliott’s hymns were translated into Chinese, German, Portuguese, Sinhala, and Spanish, showing their wide influence. Her devotional writing, missionary commitment, and pastoral concern for the sick (through her large‑type hymnbooks) made her a significant figure in Victorian evangelical Christianity.

• The Lord Jesus