The Hymns of Anne Steele

Long before the women who so dominated 19^th century hymnals there was the 18^th century Anne Steele (1717-1778). She was in poor health, recurring malaria, her entire life and spent much of her time alone in her room. She did receive one marriage proposal by Benjamin Beddome, another well known Baptist pastor and hymn writer which she refused. To protect her privacy her poems and hymns were published under the name de plume Theodosia.

Hymary.org lists 380 hymns by Anne Steel. Among the more well known are “Alas What Hourly Dangers Rise,” “Come Weary Souls With Sin Distressed,” Come, Ye That Love the Savior’s Name,” “When Blooming Youth is Snatched Away,” and “Ye Wretched, Hungry, Starving Poor.”