Ada A. Whiddington

Ada Anne Fitzgerald Whiddington was a 19th-century hymn writer and poet born in 1855. Though biographical records of her personal life are relatively sparse compared to her contemporaries, she is highly regarded in hymnology for her contributions to the "Keswick" or "Higher Life" movement, which emphasized personal holiness and the indwelling of Christ. She is frequently identified in hymnals by her initials, A. A. F. (representing her maiden name, Fitzgerald), or by her married name.

Whiddington’s most significant and enduring contribution to Christian music is the hymn "Not I, but Christ," which begins with the line "Not I, but Christ, be honored, loved, exalted." This text, widely published in English, Spanish, and Chinese, serves as a quintessential expression of the "surrendered life" theology. The hymn gained immense popularity through its inclusion in major evangelical collections, most notably appearing in over twenty distinct hymnals and being famously paired with a tune by the composer and evangelist James Mountain.

In addition to her most famous work, Whiddington authored several other devotional texts that explore themes of spiritual surrender and trust. These include "Once it was the blessing," which contrasts the seeking of God's gifts with the seeking of God Himself, and the comforting "O why should I care if my journey be drear." Her work is characterized by a focused, Christ-centric devotion that has allowed her lyrics to transcend cultural and linguistic barriers, maintaining a presence in global church music until her death in 1933.