William Alexander (bishop)

William Alexander

He was born in Derry on 13 April 1824, the third child of the Revd Robert Alexander. He was educated at Tonbridge School and Brasenose College, Oxford. During his time in Oxford he came under the influence of the Oxford Movement. Due to illness his academic record failed to live up to his promise, but he nonetheless displayed a solid scholarship which was to stand him in good stead in later life.

After holding several livings in Ireland, including the rectories of

In the years 1871 to 1877 he was much involved in the reorganisation of the

His wife, Cecil Frances Alexander, wrote some tracts in connection with the Oxford Movement. She is known as the author of many well-known hymns, including "Once in Royal David's City", "All Things Bright and Beautiful". They both lived in Milltown House, Strabane. The house is now used as a school, Strabane Grammar School. Their daughter, Eleanor Jane Alexander, was also a poet and novelist.

In March 1913, a stained glass window by James Powell and Sons was erected in memory of him in the east wall of the side chapel of St Columb's Cathedral, financed by public subscription. The lower panels depict Moses, King David, and Isaiah in reference to his qualities as leader, poet, and preacher. His closing words of his resignation speech in February 1911 are quoted at the bottom: "Not in wisdom of words, lest the Cross of Christ be made void" (1 Cor 1:17).^[1][2]

There is a memorial to Alexander in the south aisle at St Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh.^[3]

References in literature

Alexander is mentioned as part of the procession in James Joyce's "cyclops" episode of Ulysses.

Works

• Perils of home rule: a speech delivered at a meeting of the General Synod of the Church of Ireland, on Tuesday, 14 March. Dublin: The Irish Union Alliance. 1893.

References