James W. Alexander

James Waddell Alexander (1804–1859)

James Waddell Alexander was an American Presbyterian minister, theologian, professor, author, and hymn translator whose work left a lasting mark on nineteenth-century Christianity. Though often remembered as the son of the renowned theologian Archibald Alexander, James established his own reputation as a gifted preacher, scholar, and devotional writer.

He was born on March 13, 1804, in Hopewell, Louisa County, Virginia, USA. He studied at the College of New Jersey(now Princeton University) and later at Princeton Theological Seminary. His education prepared him for a life of ministry, scholarship, and service within the Presbyterian Church.

Alexander was ordained as a minister and alternated between pastoral and academic callings throughout his life. He served as professor of rhetoric at Princeton, pastor of Duane Street Presbyterian Church in New York, professor of ecclesiastical history and church government at Princeton Seminary, and later pastor of Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York. In each role, he was known for intellectual depth, warm piety, and faithful preaching.

He also wrote several devotional works, including Gift to the Afflicted and Thoughts on Family Worship, which encouraged Christian households toward prayer, spiritual discipline, and trust in God.

Alexander is especially remembered in hymn history for his translations of ancient and Reformation-era hymns from Greek, Latin, and German into English. His most famous translation is the beloved passion hymn “O Sacred Head, Now Wounded,” adapted through the German text of Paul Gerhardt from the medieval Latin original. This hymn remains one of the most treasured songs on the sufferings of Christ.

He also translated hymns such as “Near the Cross Was Mary Weeping” from Stabat Mater and “Jesus, How Sweet Thy Memory Is” from the Latin Jesu dulcis memoria. Through these works, he helped English-speaking churches access the riches of historic Christian hymnody.

James Waddell Alexander died on July 31, 1859, at Sweetsprings, Virginia. His legacy endures through his preaching, theological writings, and hymn translations that continue to enrich Christian worship across generations.