Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Elliott, Charlotte

ELLIOTT, CHARLOTTE (1789–1871), hymn-writer, daughter of Charles Elliott, by Eling, daughter of Henry Venn, sister of Henry Venn Elliott [q. v.] and Edward Bishop Elliott [q. v.], was born 17 March 1789. She showed literary talent, and in her youth wrote humorous verses. After a severe illness in 1821 she became a permanent invalid, and the influence of Cæsar Malan of Geneva, whose acquaintance she made in 1822, induced her to give up all secular pursuits. She wrote many religious poems, which appeared as 'Hymns for a Week,' of which forty thousand copies were sold; 'Hours of Sorrow' (1840 and many later editions), and the 'Invalid's Hymn Book.' The last, privately printed in 1834, included 'Just as I am,' a hymn which has had extraordinary popularity, and been translated 'into almost every living language.' She edited the 'Christian Remembrancer Pocket-book' from 1834 to 1859, contributing many of her own hymns. She lived with her father at Clapham, and then at Brighton. In 1845 she moved to Torquay, but in 1857 returned to Brighton, where she remained till her death, 22 Sept. 1871.

The Religious Tract Society has published 'Selections' from her poems with a memoir by her sister, Mrs. Babington, and 'Leaves from unpublished Journals, Correspondence, and Note-books.'

[Information from the family; Memoir as above; Memoir by 'H. L. L.' prefixed to an illustrated edition of 'Just as I am' (1885).]