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American clergyman, journalist, artist, and composer best known for writing the Christmas carol 'We Three Kings'.Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Hopkins Jr. studied law before entering the clergy. He served Episcopal churches in Pennsylvania and New York while pursuing artistic and literary interests. In 1857, he composed the enduring Christmas carol 'We Three Kings' for a seminary pageant. He later became the first rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Plattsburgh, NY (1876-1887), and authored several theological works before his death in Hudson, NY.

• Composed 'We Three Kings' in 1857 while serving as music director at General Theological Seminary in New York City. Originally titled 'Three Kings of Orient', it featured in his 1863 carol collection and became the first widely popular Christmas carol written by an American composer.
• Despite being musically untrained, Hopkins Jr. wrote both lyrics and melody for 'We Three Kings', creating its distinctive Middle Eastern-inspired harmonies to evoke the Magi's journey.
• Pursued multiple careers simultaneously: designed stained-glass windows, wrote for The Church Journal, published short stories, and served as a parish rector while composing music.
• Died of a stroke at age 70 after suffering a paralytic seizure months earlier. Buried at Rock Cemetery in Vermont beside his father, Episcopal Bishop John Henry Hopkins Sr.