The directory «Plots»

Hopkins, Jr. John Henry
(1820—1891)

John Henry Hopkins, Jr. was an American clergyman and hymnist, most famous for composing the song "We Three Kings of Orient Are" in 1857.

Hopkins was born in Pittsburgh, the son of John Henry Hopkins, an Episcopal bishop. Hopkins graduated from the University of Vermont with an A.B. in 1839, and then a Master's Degree in 1845. After a stint as a journalist, he graduated from the General Theological Seminary in 1850, and became a deacon, author, illustrator, and designer. He was the seminary's first music teacher from 1855 to 1857, composed several hymns, and edited the Church Journal. He wrote words and music to his most famous hymn, "We Three Kings", as part of a Christmas pageant for his nephews and nieces. It is suggested to have been written in 1857 but did not appear in print until his Carols, Hymns and Song in 1863. He never married, and became a priest in 1872. He delivered the eulogy at the funeral of President Ulysses S Grant in 1885, and died in Hudson, New York. He is buried at Lakeview Cemetery in Burlington, Vermont.

Great Britain, 1982, We Three Kings of Orient Are

Guernsey, 1986, We Three Kings of Orient Are

Guernsey, 2004, We Three Kings of Orient Are

Guernsey, 2010, «We Three Kings of Orient Are»