Mary Baker Eddy

Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910), the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, is widely recognized outside her Church as one of the most remarkable religious figures of modern times.

She was born in New England on a farm in Bow, New Hampshire. Her childhood and much of her adult life, before 1866, was spent in ill health. Although raised with Puritan values, daily Bible reading, and even the talk of God's healing power, she spent many years looking for healing in the many remedial methods available in her time. She found no permanent help there.

In 1866, she was healed of a serious injury as she read the account of one of Jesus' healings in the New Testament. This led her to discover what she came to understand as the Science of Christianity, which she named Christian Science.

In 1875, she first wrote and published Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, the textbook of Christian Science. It is published in 17 languages and Braille, and in audio cassette, CD, and computerized form. Over ten million copies have been sold and it remains a best-seller each year.

In 1879, Mrs. Eddy established the Church of Christ, Scientist, and subsequently founded its various periodicals and activities. In 1895, she published the first edition of the Manual of The Mother Church. One of her last and greatest accomplishments was founding The Christian Science Monitor in 1908 (her 88^th year) a newspaper respected around the world for its editorial integrity and news insight.

In 1992, the Women's National Book Association (WNBA) named Science and Health as one of 75 books by women "whose words have changed the world." She also wrote and published several other books on Christian Science which have been translated into several languages.

Before Mrs. Eddy died in 1910, the religion she established had spread around much of the world, and she had become one of the most recognized public figures in America. In 1995, she was elected to the National Women's Hall of Fame for leaving "an indelible mark on society, religion and journalism."

Source:  www.tfccs.com