Albert Midlane

Albert Midlane (23 January 1825 – 27 February 1909) was a British poet who wrote several hundred hymns, most notably "There's a Friend for Little Children". He himself said that he had published 827 hymns, and that "They represent at all events a certain amount of industry". it was published in Youth's Magazine in November 1842 under the name of "Little Albert".

His most notable hymn, "There's a Friend for Little Children", was written on 7 February 1859 and published in December 1859 in a book called Good News for the Little Ones. Its tune was composed by Sir John Stainer, and is called "In Memoriam". It was composed for the hymn's appearance in a book entitled Hymns Ancient and Modern, published in 1868. Midlane wrote over 700 hymns altogether, it has been translated into around a dozen languages. The paper set up a memorial fund for him after his death.

Midlane married Miriam Grainger on 20 March 1851 and they had three children, two sons and one daughter. He never accepted any money for his writing, and as such became bankrupt. Generosity from his fans meant that this was later revoked. He died of a seizure at his home of Forest Villa on South Mall, Newport, Isle of Wight on 27 February 1909, aged 84.