Abridged from Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ebenezer_Beesley):
Ebenezer Beesley (1840–1906) was a Latter-day Saint hymn writer and composer. The music for twelve of the hymns in the 1985 English-language hymnal of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) were written by him.
Beesley was born in Bicester, England. He and his parents joined the LDS Church when he was quite young. In 1859, Beesley, a cobbler, emigrated to Utah Territory. In Salt Lake City, Beesley served as both choir director and music director for Sunday School. He studied under George Careless.
Beesley was one of the men appointed to oversee the publication of the 1860 (and later the 1883) Latter-day Saints' Psalmody, which was the first LDS Church hymnbook to include music.
Beesley directed the Mormon Tabernacle Choir from 1880-1889. After serving with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Beesley taught music in Tooele, and then for a time in Lehi, Utah. He then moved back to Salt Lake City where he died.
