Frances Jane van Alstyne (née
Crosby; March 24, 1820 – February 12, 1915), more commonly known as
Fanny Crosby, was an American mission worker, poet, lyricist, and composer. A member of the Sixth Avenue Bible Baptist Church in
Brooklyn, New York, she wrote many hymns together with her pastor, Robert Lowry. She was one of the most prolific hymnists in history, writing over 8,000 hymns and
gospel songs, with over 100 million copies printed, despite being blind from shortly after birth. She is also known for her teaching, and her
rescue mission work. By the end of the 19th century, she was "a household name".