Irving I. Harwood (c.1831-1887) was born and died in Boston, Massachusetts. He was a piano dealer and musician who became interested in Christian Science in 1886. He studied Christian Science with Josephine Curtis Woodbury, also serving on the board of her Academy of Christian Science. In 1887 Harwood composed a musical setting for "Christ My Refuge" by Mary Baker Eddy. The hymn was first sung at a church service on October 30, 1887, and sung for a second time at Harwood's funeral service on November 15, 1887.

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