Fanny Crosby's Life Story: Autobiography of a Christian Poet, Lyricist and Mission Worker Blind from Infancy

Fanny Crosby's celebrated autobiography chronicles her life and achievements writing Christian poetry and hymnals in amazing quantity. Renowned as one of the 19th century's greatest hymn writers and lyricists, Fanny Crosby was the victim of grave misfortune during her infancy. As a baby only a few weeks old, her eyes became inflamed - the doctor visited by her family suggested a procedure to alleviate the symptoms, but it was a failure: Fanny became completely and permanently blind. Despite this grave loss of sight, the young Fanny proved a bright child and a capable student. In particular she had a gift for words and was markedly devoted to the Christian Lord. These two attributes would soon characterize her rise to renown; as well as publishing well-received and celebrated hymns, Fanny was diligent in accomplishing mission work far from home. By maturity, Fanny Crosby was a national celebrity, her hymns and songs were sung in hundreds of churches. Those who visited her would marvel at her capacity to invent and arrange songs seemingly at will; it was a gift which Fanny always remained humbly thankful for. During and after her life, her prolific body of creative work and success in spite of lifelong disability would act as inspiration for many people.