Background
Francis was born in Salem, North Carolina, on October 30, 1815, the son of Johann Joachim Hagen and Susanna Lick.
Francis was born in Salem, North Carolina, on October 30, 1815, the son of Johann Joachim Hagen and Susanna Lick.
He is best known for his hymn "Morning Star" that is typically sung on Christmas Eve. He grew up in Salem before attending the Moravian Theological Seminary in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where he graduated in 1835. Hagen served various congregations in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Iowa and New York before retiring from the ministry in 1877.
As a composer, his musical style reflected his Moravian roots combined with elements of 19th century Romantic music
He composed large scale orchestral and vocal works in addition to solo voice and piano pieces. Hagen was one of the three original editors of the Moravian Magazine from 1856-1858.
He died in Lititz, Pennsylvania, on July 7, 1907.