Cecil Frances Alexander wrote 400 hymns including the carol 'Once in Royal David's City.'

Born in Ireland in 1819 Cecil Frances wrote poetry from the age of 18. Later she taught Sunday lessons from her hymns. One lesson was about the God of creation froom her hymn 'All Things Bright and Beautiful.' Another of her children's hymns is 'There is a Green Hill Far Away.'

She also visited poor neighbours and the sick. Profits from her best-selling hymn book went to help handicapped children.

When her husband William Alexander Archbishop of Ireland gave messages from the Scriptures to his congregation, Cecil Frances recited poems to link with his subject. In 1895 at 72 Mrs Alexander met children in heaven.

By F. Swallow