Charles Coffin was born October 4, 1676 in Buzancy, Ardennes, France. At an early age he showed signs of great abilities and promise. He was educated at Plessis College in Paris.

In 1701 he was appointed as chief subordinate to the historian Rollin at Beauvais College. In 1712 he became principal at the College of Beauvais at the University of Paris succeeding  Rollin. In 1718 he was made Rector of the college, a post which he held until his death.

In 1727 he published some of his Latin poems; in 1736 the majority (100), of his hymns appeared in the Paris Breviary. Also in 1736 he published his hymns as Hymni Sacri Auctore Carolo Coffin. In 1775 a completed version of his works was published in two volumes. In Hymns Ancient and Modern there are a large number of his hymns translated by Chandler, Isaac Williams, and others.

He died June 20, 1749, Paris, France. Due to his persistence in appealing against the papal Constitution Unigenitus of 1713, the parish rector of Saint-Etienne-du-Mont refused to administer last rites to him or give him a Christian burial.

Hymns:

• The Advent of our God (Instantis adventum Dei)

• As Now the Sun's Declining Rays (Labente jam solis rota)

• God From On High Hath Heard (Jam desinant suspiria)

• Let Sighing Cease And Woe

• O Scorned and Outcast Lord (Opprobriis, Jesu, satur)

• On Jordan's Bank The Baptist's Cry

• What Star Is This, With Beams So Bright - Version 1 (of four)

• When Shades Of Night Around Us Close

Sources:

• The Hymnuts
• The Cyberhymnal

• Rev. Duncan Campbell, Hymns and Hymn Makers (London: A. & C. Black, Fourth Edition, 1908)