Joseph Mohr

Short Name: Joseph Mohr
Full Name: Mohr, Joseph (Josephus Franciscus)
Birth Year: 1792
Death Year: 1848

Josephus Franciscus Mohr was born on December 11, 1792, in Salzburg, Archduchy of Austria. He was an Austrian Roman Catholic priest and hymn writer. Mohr studied music as a youth and later entered the seminary, being ordained as a priest after completing his theological training. He served in various parishes including Ramsau, Mariapfarr, Oberndorf, Kuchl, Golling an der Salzach, Bad Vigaun, Adnet, Anthering, Hintersee, and finally Wagrain.

In 1816, while serving in Mariapfarr, he wrote the words to the Christmas carol “Silent Night” (Stille Nacht) in German. In 1818, he brought the poem to his friend Franz Xaver Gruber, a school teacher and organist, who composed the melody. The carol was first performed on Christmas Eve 1818 at a Midnight Mass in Oberndorf, with Mohr playing guitar and Gruber leading the choir.

Mohr continued his priestly duties in multiple parishes throughout his life. In his later years he established charitable efforts in Wagrain, including support for education and care of the elderly. He died of respiratory disease on December 4, 1848, in Wagrain, Austria.

His primary enduring contribution to hymnody is the German text of “Silent Night,” which has been translated into many languages and remains one of the most widely known Christmas carols.