Edwin Hubbell Chapin

Edwin Hubbell Chapin (December 29, 1814 – 1880) was an American preacher and editor of the Christian Leader. He was also a poet, responsible for the poem Burial at Sea, which was the origin of a famous folk song, Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie.

Early years and education Chapin was born in Union Village, Washington County, New York. He completed his formal education in a seminary at Bennington, Vermont.

Poetry He was the author of the poem Ocean Burial, which was put to music by George N. Allen. The song which it became was published widely. and September 1839 in Poe's Southern Literary Messenger. In 1854 he was elected into the National Academy of Design as an Honorary member.

Death He died in Pigeon Cove, a village of Rockport, Massachusetts, survived by two sons, Frederic H. Chapin and Dr. Sidney H. Chapin, and one daughter, Marion Chapin Davison. A chasm in the rocky coast near his home in Pigeon Cove is named Chapin's Gully where Chapin often practiced his orations and swam.

Recognition He was one of the chief actors in what was called the "Broad Church Movement". Harvard College conferred an honorary D.D. upon Chapin in 1856.

Selected works

The Crown of Thorns: A Token for the Sorrowing (1847) Duties of Young Women (1849) Moral Aspects of City Life: A Series of Lectures (1853) Humanity in the City (1854) Living Words (1860) Discourses on the Lord's Prayer (1872) Lessons of Faith and Life: Discourses (1877) God's Requirements and Other Sermons (1881)