I Need Thee, Precious Jesus

Full Name: Whitfield, Frederick
Birth Date: 7 January 1827
Birth Place: Threapwood, Shropshire, England
Death Date: 13 September 1904
Occupation: Anglican priest, hymn writer, poet

Frederick Whitfield was born on 7 January 1827 at Threapwood in Shropshire, the son of H. Whitfield. He was educated at Dublin University, from which he graduated in 1859. In the same year, he was ordained deacon, and in 1860 he was ordained priest in the Church of England.

Whitfield served as curate of Otley, Yorkshire from 1859 to 1861. In 1861, he became rector of Kirkby Ravensworth. He later held clerical appointments as incumbent of St. John’s, Bexley Heath, London, and subsequently as vicar of St. Mary’s, Hastings. In addition to parish ministry, he served as Secretary of the Irish Church Missions, reflecting his involvement in missionary and administrative work within the Anglican Church.

Alongside his clerical career, Whitfield gained recognition as a religious author and poet. His hymn texts were widely circulated in Victorian hymnals and religious literature. He is best known as the author of the hymn “There Is a Name I Love to Hear”, which became one of his most enduring contributions to English hymnody.

Whitfield published collections of devotional verse and prose, most notably Sacred Poems and Prose, first issued in 1859, with multiple later editions appearing during his lifetime. Another of his publications, The Christian Casket, was released in 1864. His writings were characterized by evangelical theology and devotional purpose, consistent with mid nineteenth century Anglican hymn writing.

Frederick Whitfield died on 13 September 1904. Biographical accounts of his life and ministry were later published, including Memorials of the Rev. Frederick Whitfield (1905). His legacy rests primarily on his contribution to English hymnody and his service within the Church of England.