Fanny Crosby (1820–1915) composed approximately 8,000 hymns published under her name and over 200 pseudonyms during her long life. In addition to her lyrical compositions, she published four books of poetry. She also spent her early adult years as a teacher, then devoted decades to mission work on behalf of the poor, immigrants, and prisoners.
In 1843, Crosby became the first woman in U.S. history to testify before the U.S. Senate, speaking on the need to help people with disabilities, and in 1844 she read one of her poems to a joint session of Congress, where John Quincy Adams complimented her verse. She was acquainted with several presidents, including Grover Cleveland, who had worked for her as a secretary and assistant when he was 15 years old. By the time of her death, Crosby had become a household name among Americans.
