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Ruth Messenger

1884 – 1964

American historian of medieval hymns

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About Ruth Messenger

Lived 1884 – 1964 (aged 80). Ruth Messenger was an American historian.

Ruth Messenger (February 29, 1884 – March 3, 1964) was an American historian of medieval hymns.

Life and work

Messenger was born in New York City, New York, on February 29, 1884. She graduated from Normal College of the City of New York in 1905 with a Bachelor of Arts degree and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa society. Two years later, she was appointed an instructor at the Hunter College High School. She was awarded her Master of Arts degree at the University of Illinois in 1911 and her Ph.D. in 1930 by Columbia University. Three years later she was appointed assistant professor in history at Hunter College and retired from there with the rank of full professor in 1950. Messenger then taught hymnology at the Union Theological Seminary in New York.

She published The Medieval Hymn in 1953 and was associate editor and then editor of The Hymn which was published by the Hymn Society of America from 1954 to her death on March 3, 1964. She helped to edit A Short Bibliography for the Study of Hymns, but it was not published after her death.

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
Hunter College, Columbia University, University of Illinois
Awards
Fellow of the Hymn Society; Phi Beta Kappa Society
Also known as
Ruth Ellis Messenger

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Ruth Messenger's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Ruth Messenger?

American historian of medieval hymns

When was Ruth Messenger born?

Ruth Messenger was born on 29 February 1884 in New York City.

When did Ruth Messenger die?

Ruth Messenger died on 4 March 1964.

What was Ruth Messenger's occupation?

Ruth Messenger was a historian.

What nationality was Ruth Messenger?

Ruth Messenger was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Ruth Messenger

· Wikidata: Q44193237

· DBpedia: Ruth Messenger

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Ruth Messenger. https://biography.guide/ruth-messenger/

MLA: "Ruth Messenger." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/ruth-messenger/.

Chicago: "Ruth Messenger." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/ruth-messenger/.

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