Cecil Frances Alexander was a distinguished Anglo-Irish hymnwriter and poet, born in April 1818 in Dublin, Ireland. She was the third child of Major John Humphreys and Elizabeth Reed. From a young age, Alexander exhibited a talent for writing, producing hymns and poetry that became widely celebrated during the Victorian era in both Ireland and England. Her religious views were influenced by prominent figures like Dr. Walter Hook and the Oxford Movement, with John Keble editing her anthology "Hymns for Little Children" in 1848. This collection includes some of her most famous hymns, such as "All Things Bright and Beautiful," "There is a Green Hill Far Away," and the Christmas carol "Once in Royal David's City."

In 1850, she married Reverend William Alexander, who later became the Bishop of Derry and the Protestant Archbishop of Armagh. The couple had four children and lived in Strabane and later Derry. Alexander was deeply involved in charitable work, using her book royalties to support institutions like the Derry and Raphoe Diocesan Institution for the Deaf and Dumb and the Derry Home for Fallen Women. Her hymns, known for their lyrical quality, continue to be celebrated for their impact on religious music. Cecil Frances Alexander passed away on October 12, 1895, in Derry, Ireland. Her husband posthumously published her remaining works, ensuring her legacy in religious literature and hymnody.