Henry Alford

1810-1871. Dean of Canterbury. Born in London, he early showed precociousness by writing Latin odes and a history of Jews before he was ten. In 1829 he entered Trinity College, Cambridge, and in 1834 was elected fellow. In 1835 he became vicar of Wymeswold in Leicestershire. From 1853-57 he ministered to a large congregation at the Quebec Chapel, Marylebone, until he became dean of Canterbury. Alford edited the works of John Donne (1839) and was the first editor of the Contemporary Review. He wrote hymns including “Come ye thankful people come” and “Ten thousand times ten thousand.” He is chiefly known, however, for his monumental edition of the Greek New Testament which appeared over the years 1849-61.

See his wife's Life, Journal and Letters (2 vols., 1873).