Benjamin Russell Hanby (July 22, 1833 – March 16, 1867) was an American composer, educator, pastor, and abolitionist, known for his significant contributions to American music and his anti-slavery activism. Born in Rushville, Ohio, Hanby was the eldest son of William and Ann Hanby. His father, a former indentured servant, was a harness maker who became a minister and one of the founders of Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio, an institution known for its progressive stance on education and emancipation.

Hanby's musical journey began early; he used earnings from his paper route to purchase his first flute at fourteen. Despite lacking formal musical training, he developed his musical skills through self-directed practice and by playing the only piano in his locality, which was preserved at the Hanby House in Westerville.

Hanby attended Otterbein University, where he was involved in various activities, including editing the student newspaper and running an infant school. His time at Otterbein was marked by his commitment to music and education, as well as his involvement with the Underground Railroad, reflecting his family's strong abolitionist beliefs.

In 1856, Hanby composed "Darling Nelly Gray," an anti-slavery ballad inspired by the story of Joseph Selby, a runaway slave who died at the Hanby home. The song became a national success, akin to the impact of "Uncle Tom's Cabin." Hanby also composed other notable songs, including "Up on the Housetop," which became a popular Christmas tune.

Hanby married his college sweetheart, Kate Winter, in 1858 and pursued careers in teaching, ministry, and music. He served as a minister and principal, and later operated a singing school, continuing to write music throughout his life. In 1865, he moved to Chicago to further his musical career, but his life was cut short when he died of tuberculosis at the age of 33. Hanby's legacy endures through his music and his contributions to the abolitionist movement. He is buried in Otterbein Cemetery in Westerville, and the Hanby House is now a museum managed by the Westerville Historical Society.