Cecil Frances Alexander

NAME: Cecil Frances Humphreys (later Alexander)

WHAT FAMOUS FOR: Prolific hymn writer and poet, known for works like "All Things Bright and Beautiful", "There is a Green Hill Far Away", and "Once in Royal David's City".

BIRTH: April 1818, at 25 Eccles Street, Dublin, Ireland

FAMILY BACKGROUND: Cecil Frances was the daughter of Major John Humphreys, a land agent, and Elizabeth Frances Reed. She belonged to an upper-middle-class, family. Her family belonged to the Anglican Church, and her upbringing was deeply rooted in Christian values.

CHILDHOOD: Cecil Frances spent her early years in Dublin and County Wicklow, Ireland. She developed a love for writing poetry at a young age.

Her family belonged to the Anglican Church, and her upbringing was deeply rooted in Christian values.

EDUCATION: Primarily educated at home by tutors. Her exposure to literature and the Bible significantly influenced her later writing. She was also influenced by the Oxford Movement

CAREER RECORD: By the 1840s, Humphreys had gained recognition as a hymn writer, and her compositions found a place in the hymnbooks of the Church of Ireland.

In 1848, she published the book Hymns for Little Children, aimed at making the concepts of the Apostles’ Creed more accessible to children through poetic and pictorial language. Notable hymns within this collection included "There is a Green Hill Far Away," composed for an ailing child, "Once in Royal David’s City," depicting Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, and "All Things Bright and Beautiful," inspired by the phrase “maker of Heaven and Earth” from the Apostle’s Creed. The collection achieved remarkable success, reaching its 69th edition by the end of the nineteenth century.

In 1850, Cecil Frances entered matrimony with William Alexander, an Anglican clergyman. Even after her marriage, Mrs. Alexander continued her pursuits in poetry and hymn writing. Simultaneously, she dedicated a significant portion of her time to charitable endeavors, particularly visiting the impoverished and the ailing within their parish. The proceeds from her acclaimed hymnbook were generously channeled to support handicapped children in the north of Ireland. Her hymns are translated into many languages and remain popular today.

APPEARANCE: Contemporary accounts suggest she had a gentle demeanor and carried herself with quiet elegance, befitting her status as a member of the Victorian literary elite.

Undated photograph of Alexander

FASHION: Cecil’s clothing style was modest, reflecting both the Victorian era’s sensibilities and her strong religious convictions. She favored practical but refined garments, often in subdued colors.

CHARACTER: Alexander was known for her humility, piety, and dedication to helping others. She is described as kind, charitable, and intelligent.

SPEAKING VOICE As an Anglo-Irish hymn writer and poet, Alexander likely spoke with an educated Irish accent typical of her social class in the 19th century.

Her fluency in French suggests she may have had good pronunciation skills and linguistic versatility.

As the wife of a prominent clergyman who became Archbishop of Armagh, she would have been accustomed to speaking in formal social settings.

SENSE OF HUMOUR: Known for her kindness and humility, Cecil’s humor was subtle and thoughtful, often reflected in her correspondence with friends and family.

RELATIONSHIPS: Cecil Frances Alexander married William Alexander on October 15, 1850, in Strabane, County Tyrone, Ireland. At the time of their marriage, William Alexander was an Anglican clergyman serving as the rector of Termonamongan, County Tyrone.

The wedding took place when Cecil Frances was 32 years old, and she was six years older than her husband, which reportedly caused some family concern at the time. William Alexander later went on to become the Bishop of Derry and Raphoe in 1867, and eventually the Archbishop of Armaghhey. They shared a strong and supportive relationship. 

Their marriage produced two sons and two daughters. Her daughter, Eleanor Jane Alexander, also pursued poetry.

Devoted to her family and friends.

MONEY AND FAME: While Cecil’s hymns, such as “All Things Bright and Beautiful” and “Once in Royal David’s City,” gained her widespread recognition, she lived a relatively humble life. The proceeds from her hymn collections were often donated to charitable causes, including schools for the deaf.

FOOD AND DRINK: No specific information available, but likely adhered to the prevailing social norms of her time.

MUSIC AND ARTS: Alexander was passionate about music and poetry. 

A prolific hymn writer, she composed around 400 hymns during her lifetime are admired for their simple, yet evocative language and strong melodies and her works were often set to music by prominent composers and are still widely sung in churches today. She appreciated sacred music and likely found inspiration in its beauty.

She also contributed lyric poems, narrative poems, and translations of French poetry to Dublin University Magazine under various pseudonyms

There Is A Green Hill Far Away n the 1868 publication of Hymns Ancient and Modern

 

LITERATURE: Deeply influenced by her faith, Cecil also drew inspiration from poetry and scripture. Her hymns often incorporated themes from the Bible and reflected a strong command of language and lyrical form.

NATURE: Many of her hymns, including "All Things Bright and Beautiful," reflect a deep appreciation for nature as a manifestation of God's creation. 

HOBBIES AND SPORTS: Cecil’s primary hobby was writing, and her creative output was a reflection of her dedication to faith and service. She also engaged in charitable activities, particularly supporting educational causes.

SCIENCE AND MATHS: Cecil’s hymns occasionally touched on the wonder of God’s creation, which aligns with a Victorian fascination with natural theology.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY: Cecil’s life and work were deeply rooted in Christian theology. She was heavily influenced by the Oxford Movement, which emphasized the beauty of Anglican liturgy and the importance of faith-based living.

Her hymns convey a profound understanding of religious principles and the teachings of the Bible.

POLITICS: Though not politically active, Cecil’s charitable work reflected a commitment to social justice and education. Her hymns often aimed to bridge class divides, making religious teachings accessible to all.

SCANDAL: There is no record of any scandal associated with Cecil Frances Alexander. Her life was marked by devotion to her faith and family.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS: No major health issues are documented. Cecil Frances Alexander lived an active life until her late seventies.

HOMES: Born at 25 Eccles Street, Dublin3, Cecil and her family moved to Ballykeane House, County Wicklow when she was seven years old.

Her family relocated to Milltown House, Strabane, County Tyrone in 1833 when her father became agent to the Marquess of Abercorn. 

After marrying William Alexander in 1850,, the couple initially lived in Termonamongan, County Tyrone where was rector.

They resided in the parish of Fahan in County Donegal from 1855 to 1860,.

They returned to Strabane, County Yyrone in 1860 when William became rector of Camus-juxta-Mourne. The rectory overlooked the weir on the Mourne at Sion Mills.

In 1867, when William became Bishop of Derry, the family moved to the Bishop's Palace on Bishop Street Within, close to the cathedral. This building is now the Masonic Hall

Her homes were places of devotion, creativity, and service to the community.

TRAVEL: Travelled within Ireland and England with her husband. No known travels beyond the British Isles.

DEATH: Cecil Frances Alexander passed away on October 12, 1895 aged 77, in Londonderry, Ireland. She is buried in the Londonderry cathedral. 

When her husband died 16 years later, the congregation sang at his funeral "There is a Green Hill Far Away."

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA: Numerous biographies and scholarly articles discuss her life and work. Her hymns are featured in hymnals and sung worldwide.

During the 20th century, James Herriot, a rural veterinarian, drew inspiration from the refrain of Mrs. Alexander’s "All Things Bright and Beautiful" for the titles of his four immensely popular semi-autobiographical books. His inaugural masterpiece, All Creatures Great and Small, was promptly acknowledged as a classic.

In 2009, the English composer John Rutter adapted "All Things Bright and Beautiful" into a full choral piece. His adaptation has proved popular with both soloists and choirs .

ACHIEVEMENTS: Cecil Frances Alexander is considered one of the most significant hymn writers of the 19th century. Her work continues to inspire and uplift people of all faiths.

Please note: This biography is based on available information including Encyclopedia of Trivia and may not be entirely exhaustive. Some details remain unknown or undocumented.