CROSBY, FANNY (Mrs. Frances Jane Crosby Van Al styne) (18 2o-1915) , American hymn writer, was born in South east, Putnam county, N. Y., on March 24, 182o. As the result of an illness at the age of six weeks, she lost her sight. In March 1835, she entered the Institution for the Blind in New York city, remaining 12 years as a pupil and 13 years as an instructor, and devoting much time to the study of poetry. On March 5, 1858, she married Alexander Van Alstyne. She was interested in religious work, being closely associated with Dwight Moody, George C. Stebbins, Ira D. Sankey and William H. Doane. Her first hymn to attract attention and to be translated into many languages was "Pass Me Not, 0 Gentle Saviour," written in 1868. Among the best known of her many hymns are : "Safe in the Arms of Jesus"; "Saved by Grace" ; "Rescue the Perishing" ; "Blessed Assurance"; "Saviour, More Than Life to Me"; "Some Day the Silver Cord Will Break." See S. Trevana Jackson, Fanny Crosby's Story of Ninety-four Years (1915).