William Alexander

William Alexander was an Irish Anglican bishop, theologian, and poet born in Londonderry in April 1824. The son of the Reverend Robert Alexander, Prebendary of Aghadowey, he was educated at Tonbridge School before completing his university studies at Exeter College and Brasenose College, Oxford. After entering holy orders, he served as the Rector of Camus-juxta-Morne in County Tyrone and was appointed Dean of Emly in 1864. In 1867, he was consecrated as the Bishop of the united dioceses of Derry and Raphoe.

Beyond his ecclesiastical duties, Alexander was an accomplished writer of sacred poetry, contributing verse to periodicals such as the Dublin University Magazine, The Spectator, and Good Words, as well as anthologies like Lyra Britannica and Lyra Anglicana. His poetic works include his Oxford prize poems, "The Death of Jacob" and "The Waters of Babylon," alongside his 1867 privately printed volume, Specimens Poetical and Critical. Although recognized for their literary craftsmanship, his compositions were rarely adapted for congregational hymnody.