Great Hymnwriters: Fanny Crosby

Part One: Introduction and Isaac Watts
Part Two: Charles Wesley

Frances Jane Crosby was born in 1820 in Putnam County, NY, some 60 miles north of New York City. At the age of six weeks, she was permanently blinded by a doctor attempting to treat an eye infection. Despite her disability, she was raised to love literature and poetry. At the age of 15, Fanny was sent to the newly founded New York Institute for the Blind. These were the early years of special education for the blind; the Braille system would not become widespread for another decade or two, and students absorbed information simply by hearing books read out loud. Fanny spent 35 years at the Institute (which is now the NYISE, and which has a very informative website devoted to her life) as a student and teacher. Her literary career began to develop, at first as a vehicle to attract public attention to special education and charitable support for the Institute. Her first book of poems was published in 1844, and other works followed.

Although her Christian faith had always been strong, it was not until she was 44 that Crosby first wrote a sacred text, but during the second half of her life she became the most prolific writer of hymns in history. One hymn in particular, All the Way My Savior Leads Me, has become particularly meaningful to Laura and me since Samuel's birth and the various medical issues that we've dealt with concerning him. We are inspired by Fanny's example in the face of physical challenges, and we can truly say with her that "whate'er befall me, Jesus doeth all things well." Many of her hymns take the form of a personal testimony. The classic Blessed Assurance, probably her most widely beloved hymn, is also of this type. If you had asked me before last year for my favorite Crosby hymn, I most likely would have chosen the full-throated chorus To God Be the Glory.

Some of the best hymns by Fanny Crosby (my favorites first):

• All the Way My Savior Leads Me
  
• To God Be the Glory
  
• Blessed Assurance
  
• Praise Him! Praise Him!
  
• He Hideth My Soul
  
• Tell Me the Story of Jesus
  
• Redeemed!

 

Posted by Matt on 10/09/2004 08:26:00 PM