Fanny Crosby blind American hymn writer, poetess

Christian Biography Resources

Fanny Crosby

Fanny Crosby Frances Jane "Fanny" Crosby (1820-1915) was an American hymn writer and poetess, who wrote over 8,000 hymns during her life. One time a preacher sympathetically remarked, "I think it is a great pity that the Master did not give you sight when He showered so many other gifts upon you." She replied quickly, "Do you know that if at birth I had been able to make one petition, it would have been that I should be born blind?" "Why?" asked the surprised clergyman. "Because when I get to heaven, the first face that shall ever gladden my sight will be that of my Savior!"

Frances Jane Van Alstyne. Short biography.
"Safe in the Arms of Jesus". Fanny Crosby's life and hymns.
Frances Jane Van Alstyne (Fanny Crosby). Short biography.
Miss Fanny J. Crosby. Biographical sketch.
"Speed Away!" - Fanny Crosby.
Fanny Crosby (1820-1915).
Fanny Crosby. Short biography.
Fanny Crosby. Biographical sketch.

Writings:
Handfuls of Purpose from the Poetry of Fanny Crosby

Marriage:
In 1858, Fanny married a fellow teacher at the New York Institution of the Blind, the blind musician and composer Alexander Van Alstyne. Their only child, a daughter named Frances, died as an infant. Fanny and Van had been married 44 years when he died in 1902.

Recommended Book:
Her Heart Can See: The Life and Hymns of Fanny J. Crosby by Edith L. Blumhofer. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, ©2005. ISBN 0802842534. 365 pages.

More Sources of Information:
Frances Jane Crosby. Her life and ministry.
Frances Jane (Fanny) Crosby. Words and MIDI music for over 100 hymns.
Fanny Crosby and Ira Sankey. Photograph.

Website:
Fanny Crosby. Biographical resources.

Archival documents/images :
Papers of Fanny Crosby. Collection includes index to hymns and biographical sketch.

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