James J. Quinn (hymnwriter)

James J. Quinn SJ (21 April 1919 – 8 April 2010) was a Scottish Jesuit priest, theologian and hymnodist.

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, he was educated at St. Aloysius' College, Glasgow (1926–1935) and at the University of Glasgow (1935–1939), achieving honours with an MA in Classics. He entered the Society of Jesus and made his novitiate from 1939 to 1941. This was followed by studies of philosophy at Heythrop College, Oxfordshire (1941–1944). Quinn became Classics Master at Preston Catholic College (1944–1948) before returning to Heythrop College to complete his studies in Theology (1948–1952).

He was ordained priest at Stonyhurst College on 9 September 1950. After completing a last year of spiritual formation, called 'Tertianship', at St. Beuno’s College, North Wales (1952–1953), he became Classics Master at Wimbledon College (1954–1955) and was then appointed to the Sacred Heart Church, Edinburgh in 1955. He served as prefect of studies in the novitiate in Woodhall House, Edinburgh 1963-1966 and after a further period at Sacred Heart, was seconded as spiritual director to the Beda College, Rome (1976–1980). He then returned to Sacred Heart parish for a third term.