Mary Baker Eddy, the Historical Figure

This semester in American History, we finished off our learning with an examination of Mary Baker Eddy’s life through a historical lens.

Many students have learned about Mrs. Eddy’s life, struggles, and achievements in scattered stories passed down on Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. Studying a more complete chronology of her life and the period of American history in which Mrs. Eddy began her public political journey, gave students a special opportunity to place what they already knew in context and to develop a picture of the time. By learning about what the world was like when Mrs. Eddy was active, they were also able to understand why what she did was incredible.

For their final assignment, each student is writing a paper about Mrs. Eddy. They are asking questions about the gender roles within the early Christian Science church, the Monitor’s establishment, and how perception of Mrs. Eddy has changed among Christian Scientists over the years. We are using the paper to practice historical research and writing skills and to learn more about the remarkable life of the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science.

-Adrianna, History Teacher