Fanny J. Crosby
Frances Jane Crosby (1820–1915), usually known as Fanny Crosby, was anAmerican lyricist best known for her Protestant Christian hymns. She wasone of the most prolific hymnists in history, writing over 8,000 hymns,despite being blind from shortly after birth. Also known for her preachingand speaking, during her lifetime Fanny Crosby was one of the best knownwomen in the United States.
To this day the vast majority of American hymnals contain her work. Someof her best known songs include “Blessed Assurance,” “Jesus Is TenderlyCalling You Home,” “Praise Him, Praise Him,” and “To God Be the Glory.”Since some publishers were hesitant to have so many hymns by one personin their hymnals, Crosby used nearly 100 different pseudonyms during hercareer.
Fanny Crosby entered what was then known as the New York Institution forthe Blind at the age of fifteen and afterward taught English and history(1847–58).
As a pupil and as a teacher, Fanny spent 35 years at the school. She wasoften asked to entertain visitors with her poems, and she frequently metwith presidents, generals and other dignitaries. She was asked to play atPresident Grant’s funeral. Her first book of poems, published in 1844, wascalled The Blind Girl and Other Poems .
After leaving the school, she dedicated her life to serving the poorest andthe neediest. Supporting herself by her writing, she quickly gained fame forher hymns. Her usual fee was a mere two dollars which frequently went toher work with the poor. Her mission work is legendary as is her devotion toserving others above herself.
Long unavailable, this is the story (originally published in 1906 as Memoriesof Eighty Years ) of a remarkable life, told by Miss Crosby herself.
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