Charles Wesley (1707–1788) and his brother, John Wesley, were the principal leaders of the Methodist movement. Son of Susanna and Samuel Wesley, Charles was born in Epworth, Lincolnshire, England. He graduated with a master’s in classical languages and literature from Christ Church, Oxford, where he also formed the Oxford Holy Club. In 1735, Charles and his brother sailed to America where Charles served as chaplain to the garrison at Fort Fredrica. One year later they returned to England. Charles and his brother traveled Britain extensively, often preaching outdoors or in town halls. Although Charles and John never officially left the Church of England, the Methodist movement that they planted quickly spread across England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and to colonial America. Today, over seventy million people belong to Methodist organizations in the Wesleyan tradition all over the world.
Charles Wesley is best remembered by his hymns, having written over 6,000 of them. Many have become standard classics, and are still used today—including “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today,” “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling,” and “Soldiers of Christ, Arise.”