Charles Coffin

Charles Coffin was a French Roman Catholic priest, educator, and Latin hymn writer whose texts later became widely used in Christian worship through English translations. Born in Buzancy France, he studied at the University of Paris and later became rector of the University of Paris. Coffin wrote many Latin hymns intended for use in the liturgy of the Catholic Church. His hymns were admired for their classical poetic style and theological clarity. Many of his texts were later translated into English by hymn translators such as John Chandler and included in Protestant hymnals. Among the best known hymns derived from his work are On Jordan Bank the Baptist Cry and O Savior Rend the Heavens Wide. Coffin writings helped preserve the tradition of Latin hymnody while influencing later hymn collections across different Christian traditions.