Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Tuttiett, Lawrence
TUTTIETT, LAWRENCE (1825–1897), hymn-writer, born at Cloyton, Devonshire, in 1825, was the son of John Tuttiett, a surgeon in the royal navy. He was educated at Christ's Hospital and at King's College, London. He originally intended to devote himself to the study of medicine, but, changing his purpose, he was ordained deacon in 1848, and priest in the year following. At the beginning of his ministry he was under the influence of Kingsley and Maurice, but in later life he adopted the high-church principles of Pusey. In 1848 he became curate at St. Paul's, Knightsbridge, where William James Early Bennett was then vicar, and between 1849 and 1853 was successively curate of St. Thomas and Holy Trinity churches, Ryde. In 1853 he was appointed vicar of Lea Marston in Warwickshire, and in 1870 rector of St. Andrews in Scotland. In 1877 he was nominated canon of St. Ninian's Cathedral, Perth. He died at 3 Abbotsford Crescent, St. Andrews, on 21 May 1897.
Tuttiett is best known as a hymn-writer. In 1861 he published ‘Hymns for Churchmen,’ which he followed in 1862 by ‘Hymns for the Children of the Church,’ and in 1866 by ‘Through the Clouds: Thoughts in Plain Verse’ (London, 8vo). His hymns are distinguished by smoothness, simplicity of style, and deep earnestness. Several of them have come into very general use. Among the best known are: ‘Father, let me dedicate,’ and ‘Oh quickly come, dread Judge of all.’ He also published many devotional treatises, including ‘Amen: its true Meaning and proper Use,’ London, 1868, 8vo, and ‘Meditations on the Book of Common Prayer,’ London, 1872, 8vo.
[Julian's Dictionary of Hymnology; Daily Chronicle, 24 May 1897; Clergy Lists.]