César Malan

Born in Geneva in 1787, Henri Abraham César Malan became a minister in the Swiss Reformed tradition, but he soon stood out for preaching with unusual warmth and urgency. His evangelical convictions brought him into conflict with church authorities, and after restrictions were placed on his ministry, he continued preaching and gathering listeners outside the established system.

Malan became one of the best-known hymn writers of French Protestantism. He wrote many hymns and helped make congregational singing a central part of worship for French-speaking believers. In English-speaking circles, he is often remembered for the hymn "It is not death to die," translated from one of his French texts.

He also traveled widely as an evangelist and had influence beyond Switzerland. One of the best-known stories connected with his life is his meeting with Charlotte Elliott, whom he urged to come to Christ just as she was, a moment later linked with her famous hymn. He died in Geneva in 1864.