Isaac Watts, 1674 - 1748 English theologian Issac Watts was born in Southampton in 1674. He was educated at an academy of Dissenters at Stoke Newington, which is now part of London. He spent many years as a tutor, preacher, and assistant pastor and in 1702, became minister of a Dissenting church in London. Watts wrote books on theological subjects, such as "Scripture History" (1732), and a collection of religious poems titled "Horae Lyricae" (1706). He also published two hymn collections, "Hymns" (1707; 2nd edition 1709), and "The Psalms of David" (1719). Among his hymns still sung are "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" and "O God, Our Help in Ages Past."