George Bennard

George Bennard (February 4, 1873 – October 10, 1958) was an American hymn composer and preacher. He is best known for composing the famous hymn, "The Old Rugged Cross".

Early years Bennard was born in the coal-mining and iron-production town of Youngstown, Ohio. When he was still a child, his parents relocated the family to Albion, Michigan. Some time later, they moved again to Lucas, Iowa. Although the young Bennard aspired to become a Christian evangelist, he was compelled to support his mother and sisters after his father died suddenly.

Bennard continued to write hymns until 1956.

Personal life and death Bennard and his 1st wife, Araminta Statler Beeler/Behler (1871-1941), whom he married in Fulton County, Illinois on February 25, 1894 had three children; Fay George Bennard (1899-1938), Zoe Bennard (Jan. 1903-Aug. 1903), and John Paul Bennard (1913-1991). George married a second time on July 13, 1944 to Hannah Dahlstrom (d. 1977). They had no children.

Bennard died in Reed City on October 10, 1958, and the local Chamber of Commerce erected a cross near his home. He is buried at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California.