Guido Maria Dreves
Guido Maria Dreves was a German Jesuit, hymnologist and hymnwriter. He was the son of the notary and poet Lebrecht Blücher Dreves.
Life
Dreves was born in Hamburg. He already had contact with Jesuits at school, as he attended the Stella Matutina grammar school in Feldkirch from 1861. After completing his education, he immediately entered the Jesuit order in November 1869. He completed his novitiate in Sigmaringen and then studied at the, at the religious house in Bleijenbeek Castle in the Netherlands and at the Jesuit College of Ditton-Hall in Shropshire, England. He devoted his research mainly to medieval Latin hymnody.He is especially important as the author and editor of the Analecta hymnica medii aevi, the largest collection of medieval Latin poetry to date. With astonishing diligence, Dreves searched libraries all over Europe for old manuscripts and incunables. From 1886 to 1926, 55 volumes of Analecta were published, from volume 25 onwards Clemens Blume co-editor.
Dreves died in Mitwitz bei Kronach at the age of 54.
Works
Stimmen durch den Lenz. 1881O Christ hie merk! Ein Gesangbüchlein geistlicher Lieder. 1885Analecta hymnica medii aevi. 55 volumes. 1886–1926 Schwert-Lilien. Sagen und Gesch. des Hohen Deutschen Ordens. 1898Ein Jahrtausend lateinischer Hymnendichtung. 1909The Gotteslob hymnal contains his songs:
- "Gelobt seist du, Herr Jesu Christ"
- "Ein Danklied sei dem Herrn"
- "Sagt an, wer ist doch diese"