Joseph M. Scriven

Joseph Medlicott Scriven (1819–1886) was an Irish-born Canadian poet and preacher best known for writing the poem that became the beloved Christian hymn "What a Friend We Have in Jesus." Born in Banbridge, County Down, Ireland, he was educated at Trinity College, Dublin. Later in life, he emigrated to Canada, where he worked as a teacher in Ontario. Scriven wrote the poem "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" in 1855. He composed it to comfort his mother, who was living in Ireland while he was in Canada. His life was marked by personal trials and grief, experiences that deeply influenced his writing. In Canada, he was associated with a Plymouth Brethren fellowship. Through his single, enduring hymn, Scriven left a lasting gift to the Christian church.