Fanny Crosby

Frances Jane van Alstyne (née Crosby; March 24, 1820 – February 12, 1915), more commonly known as Fanny J. Crosby, was an American mission worker, poet, lyricist, and composer. She was a prolific hymnist, writing more than 8,000 hymns and gospel songs, with more than 100 million copies printed. She is also known for her teaching and her rescue mission work. By the end of the 19th century, she was a household name.

Crosby was known as the "Queen of Gospel Song Writers" and as the "Mother of modern congregational singing in America", with most American hymnals containing her work. Her gospel songs were "paradigmatic of all revival music", and Ira Sankey attributed the success of the Moody and Sankey evangelical campaigns largely to Crosby's hymns. Some of Crosby's best-known songs include "Pass Me Not, O Gentle Saviour", "Blessed Assurance", "Jesus Is Tenderly Calling You Home", "Praise Him, Praise Him", "Rescue the Perishing", and "To God Be the Glory". Some publishers were hesitant to have so many hymns by one person in their hymnals, so Crosby used nearly 200 different pseudonyms during her career.

Crosby also wrote more than 1,000 secular poems and had four books of poetry published, as well as two best-selling autobiographies. Additionally, she co-wrote popular secular songs, as well as political and patriotic songs and at least five cantatas on biblical and patriotic themes, including The Flower Queen, the first secular cantata by an American composer. She was committed to Christian rescue missions and was known for her public speaking.

Birth and Death Data: Born March 24, 1820 (Brewster), Died February 12, 1915 (Bridgeport)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1899 - 1940

Roles Represented in DAHR: lyricist, songwriter

Notes: Name also appears as Frances van Alstyne, Frances Jane Crosby, Frances J. Crosby, or F. J. Crosby.

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings (Results 76-96 of 96 records)

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
OKeh W400296 10-in. 2/22/1928 Though your sins be as scarlet Trenton Melody Makers Male vocal quartet, unaccompanied lyricist  
Brunswick 2086 10-in. approximately July 1918 All the way my Saviour leads me Harry McClaskey ; Marie Morrisey Female-male vocal duet, with orchestra lyricist  
Brunswick E27963 10-in. 8/3/1928 When my life work is ended Frank McCravy ; James McCravy Male vocal duet, with instrumental trio songwriter  
Brunswick XE26629-XE26630 12-in. 2/24/1928 Open the gate of the temple Daniel Beddoe Male vocal solo, with piano lyricist  
Brunswick E26979-E26980 10-in. 3/14/1928 Though your sins be as scarlet Maury Pearson Male vocal solo, with piano lyricist  
Brunswick C3750 10-in. 6/27/1929 Open the gates of the temple John Wahlstedt Male vocal solo, with organ lyricist  
Edison 2065 10-in. 12/24/1912 Close to Thee Frederick J. Wheeler ; John Young Male vocal duet, with orchestra lyricist  
Edison 2084 10-in. 1/8/1913 Rescue the perishing Frederick J. Wheeler ; John Young Vocal duet (tenor and baritone) and mixed vocal ensemble, with orchestra lyricist  
Edison 2085 10-in. 1/8/1913 Draw me nearer Harry Anthony ; James F. Harrison Vocal duet (tenor and baritone) and mixed vocal ensemble, with orchestra lyricist  
Edison 3527 10-in. 1/20/1915 Open the gates of the temple Adelaide Fischer Female vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Edison 3771 10-in. 5/11/1915 Draw me nearer Frederick J. Wheeler ; John Young Vocal duet (tenor and baritone) and mixed vocal ensemble, with orchestra lyricist  
Edison 4040 10-in. 7/30/1915 Open the gates of the temple Hardy Williamson Male vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Edison 5449 10-in. 3/17/1917 Saved by grace Artists vary Mixed vocal quartet, with orchestra lyricist  
Edison 5589 10-in. 5/29/1917 Some sweet day, bye and bye Metropolitan Quartet Mixed vocal quartet, with orchestra lyricist  
Edison 5965 10-in. between 1/10/1918 and 1/14/1918 Safe in the arms of Jesus Calvary Choir Vocal chorus, with orchestra lyricist  
Edison 7153 10-in. 2/9/1920 Only a step to Jesus Fred East ; Lewis James Vocal duet (tenor and baritone), with orchestra lyricist  
Edison 7788 10-in. 2/9/1921 Pass me not, o gentle Saviour Metropolitan Quartet Mixed vocal quartet, with orchestra lyricist  
Edison 7798 10-in. 2/14/1921 Never give up Metropolitan Quartet Mixed vocal quartet, with orchestra lyricist  
Edison 9699 10-in. 9/11/1924 Tell me the story of Jesus Homer A. Rodeheaver Male vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Edison 9829 10-in. 11/5/1924 Open the gates of the temple Charles Hart Male vocal solo, with orchestra lyricist  
Edison 10279 10-in. 3/26/1925 All the way my Saviour leads me Amy Ellerman ; Olive Marshall Vocal duet (soprano and contralto), with orchestra lyricist  
(Results 76-96 of 96 records)

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Crosby, Fanny," accessed November 4, 2024, https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/102169.

Crosby, Fanny. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved November 4, 2024, from https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/102169.

"Crosby, Fanny." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 4 November 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adpprod2.library.ucsb.edu/names/102169

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