Doane, William Howard William Howard Doane (1832-1915) was a manufacturer and entrepreneur; success in business enabled him to become a significant philanthropist. He showed musical talent from a young age, and became a composer and arranger of hymns, songs, choral works and instrumental pieces. His collaboration with Mrs Frances Jane van Alstyne (also known as Fanny Crosby) resulted in around 1500 new hymns, many of which are still included in modern hymn books.