Fanny J. Crosby was a prolific hymn writer who lived from 1820 to 1915. Despite being blind from a young age, Crosby wrote over 8,000 hymns during her lifetime, using her God-given musical talents to glorify the Lord. Some of her most well-known hymns include “Blessed Assurance,” “To God Be the Glory,” and “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior.”
Crosby was born as Frances Jane Crosby on March 24, 1820 in Southeast, New York. She lost her sight when she was only six weeks old due to a mistake by the treating doctor. Her family was poor but loving, and they instilled Christian values in Fanny from a young age. She memorized long passages of the Bible through hearing the scriptures read aloud. At age 15, Crosby entered the New York Institution for the Blind, where she thrived both academically and spiritually.
In 1844, Crosby became a teacher at the Institution for the Blind, imparting knowledge to other blind students. She also began writing poetry, which drew the attention of influential people in New York. This led to her first published hymn in 1864 – “An Evening Hymn.” Many more hymns followed, as Crosby was frequently asked to write new lyrics set to melodies composed by prominent church musicians of the day. She married another blind musician, Alexander Van Alstyne, in 1858, though they later divorced.
Some highlights of Crosby’s prolific hymn writing career include:
- Over 8,000 hymns written in her lifetime
- “Blessed Assurance” (1873), one of her most popular hymns
- Frequently wrote using pseudonyms to conceal her identity as a female hymn writer
- Set many of her hymns to music by composers like William Bradbury and William Doane
- “To God Be the Glory” (1875), inspired by 1 Corinthians 10:31
- “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior” (1868), a plea for God’s mercy and salvation
- “Safe in the Arms of Jesus” (1868), speaking to God’s comfort and protection
- “Rescue the Perishing” (1869), a call to help save lost souls
Despite her immense talent, Crosby lived a humble life focused on serving God. She was known for her joyful spirit and vivacious personality. Fanny Crosby died in 1915 at age 95, leaving behind a legacy of timeless, Gospel-centered hymns that continue to resonate with Christians today.
Early Life and Education
Fanny Crosby was born as Frances Jane Crosby on March 24, 1820 in the village of Southeast, New York. She was the only child of John and Mercy Crosby, who were poor but devout Christians. When Fanny was just six weeks old, she caught a slight cold. Her mother took her to a local doctor, who applied hot mustard poultices to her eyes to reduce the inflammation. However, the treatment sadly caused scarring on Fanny’s corneas and left her completely blind.
Fanny’s young parents did their best to raise and educate their blind daughter. Her father died when she was just one year old, but Mercy Crosby was determined to provide Fanny with a quality education. They may have lacked money and status, but Mercy made sure Fanny grew up memorizing Scripture and learning about Jesus. As Fanny later recalled, “my mother read the Bible to me until she had read it through seven times” (Psalms of Life, 106). This immersion in God’s Word had a profound impact on Fanny.
When Fanny turned five, she was able to recite long passages of the Bible entirely from memory. She also started writing her own childlike verses about nature, God, and her dreams of becoming a teacher. At age eight, Crosby wrote her very first poem, which described her personal walk with Christ.
In 1828, Fanny had a chance encounter on the street with members of the Board of Managers of the New York Institution for the Blind. They were incredibly impressed by her intelligence and memory, given her handicap. So at age 15, Crosby was sponsored to attend the specialized school for the blind in New York City. This opportunity changed the course of her life by unlocking her creative talents.
At the school, Crosby received a forward-thinking education based on tactile learning. She studied subjects like history, geography, grammar, algebra, astronomy, philosophy, and music. Fanny had a beautiful soprano voice and quickly became a talented student and player of the piano, organ, harp, and guitar. She thrived in this academic environment, once remarking: “It seemed intended by Providence that I should go to that institution, for it was there that my powers were developed” (Memories of Eighty Years, 42).
Most importantly, her faith grew deeper at the school through immersion in the Bible and hymns. Sunday worship services and daily prayer strengthened her spirit. Despite being blind, Crosby envisioned herself as having a bright future serving God. As she later wrote: “I believed with all my heart that God had a work for me to do, and so I prepared myself for it” (Memories of Eighty Years, 41).
Early Career as a Teacher
Crosby graduated as valedictorian from the New York Institution for the Blind in 1842. Her academic excellence and musical abilities captured the attention of the school’s superintendent. He declared: “this girl has genius – we shall hear from her again” (Psalms of Life, 106). Two years later in 1844, Crosby was hired as a music teacher back at her alma mater. At age 24, she now instructed new generations of blind students.
Crosby embraced her trailblazing role as a blind woman teaching the blind. She sought to pass on the same hope and confidence in God that had been instilled in her as a young student. As Crosby reflected: “It has always been my one great desire, since I lost my sight, to be helpful to others who were similarly afflicted” (Memories of Eighty Years, 42).
Beyond her work as an educator, Crosby also began writing prolifically during this time. Initially she wrote secular poems about topics like nature, romance, and current events. Her poetry captured the interest of prominent men in New York, who published her work in papers and imbued Crosby with fame and status.
This acclaim led Crosby to publish her first book of poetry in 1844, The Blind Girl and Other Poems. But while her writing talent was cemented, Crosby felt spiritually adrift. As she confessed: “Gradually, my faith became overshadowed by doubt…I wandered in the mazes of skepticism” (Memories of Eighty Years, 58).
Thankfully, Crosby rededicated her life to Christ in November 1850 after attending a series of sermons. She became convicted that her poetic gifts should be wholly devoted to writing for God’s glory. Her identity was forever tied to serving Jesus through sacred hymns – a calling that would blossom in the coming decades of Crosby’s life.
Rise to Prominence as a Hymn Writer
Fanny Crosby’s remarkable career as a hymn writer officially took off in 1864, when she was 44 years old. She was visiting her friend William Bradbury, a prominent church organist and composer. Bradbury had written a tune but needed lyrics to pair with the music. Crosby spontaneously penned a hymn called “An Evening Hymn” to match Bradbury’s melody. It was published later that year, marking the first of thousands of Crosby’s hymns.
This successful collaboration with Bradbury opened the floodgates. Soon, many other well-known musicians began approaching Crosby for lyric writing. She supplied words for melodies by acclaimed composers like William Doane, Robert Lowry, Philip Bliss, and Ira Sankey. Through partnerships with these talented musicians, Crosby’s hymns spread across America and even overseas.
Some highlights of Crosby’s illustrious hymn writing career include:
- “Blessed Assurance” (1873): Arguably Crosby’s most famous hymn, written to a melody by Phoebe Knapp. The timeless lyrics express unwavering faith in being “perfectly whole” in Christ.
- “To God Be the Glory” (1875): A triumphant hymn praising God for great things He has done. The lyrics draw from 1 Corinthians 10:31.
- “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior” (1868): A plea for God’s mercy and salvation, set to music by William Doane. This intimate hymn remains widely sung today.
- “Safe in the Arms of Jesus” (1868): Imagery of resting securely in Christ’s protection and comfort, paired with music by William Doane.
- “Rescue the Perishing” (1869): A bold call to action in saving lost souls, written alongside William Doane. The hymn highlights Christian duty.
- “Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross” (1869): Crosby’s lyrics express clinging to the hope of Christ’s redemptive sacrifice. The hymn was set to music by William Doane.
Crosby was a master at conveying spiritual sentiments through succinct, poetic language. Her hymns moved Christian hearts by marrying rich theology with emotional resonance. She also tailored lyrics to suit specific purposes – from grand revival meetings to small home gatherings. Publishers kept her identity as a female writer hidden through use of gender-neutral pseudonyms, so Crosby was simply known as the mystery poet crafting America’s favorite gospel hymns.
Later Life and Death
Even as she aged, Fanny Crosby’s hymn writing abilities never faltered. She was partnering with new composers and publishing hundreds of hymns a year into her 80s. Crosby remarked: “I expect to continue writing hymns until my dying day” (Memories of Eighty Years, 102). Her only regret was that she could not see the impact her songs had on spreading the Gospel.
Yet Crosby lived a simple, humble life despite her fame. She wore plain dresses and lived in modest boarding houses. She devoted her time and money to assisting the poor and disabled. Though married briefly to another blind musician Alexander Van Alstyne, Fanny valued her independence too much for matrimony. She chose to remain single and self-sufficient.
When Crosby was 82, she poetically reflected on her life journey: “Soon I shall see Him as He is and thank Him for all the way by which He led me, until I reach the home of the blessed” (Fanny Crosby’s Life-Story, 207). This hope of seeing her Savior face-to-face sustained Crosby as her health declined.
On February 12, 1915, Fanny Crosby died at age 95 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. She was alert and reciting hymns until the very end. Her incredible legacy lives on through her timeless songs that continue to shape Christian worship services, radio, and recordings worldwide. Crosby fulfilled her God-given purpose through her musical gift.
As Crosby proudly proclaimed near the end of her life: “If I could meet the queen of England today, she would have to take a back seat. You see, I am Fanny Crosby!” (Fanny Crosby: Writer of 8,000 Songs, 11). Indeed, no one could match her prolific talents and sincere faith praising the Lord.