Mary Baker Eddy, an Interpretive Biography of the Founder of Christian Science

The subject matter of early polemical accounts, the persons of significance in her life were interviewed while Mary Baker Eddy still lived. Thus, the researcher finds a rich store in the early published accounts of her life and the movement she founded. In 1862 she sought healing from P.C. Quimby in Portland, Maine. Through contact with Quimby latent capacities she possessed were developed. Quimby died in 1866. Several weeks afterwards Mrs. Patterson, (later this second marriage would be terminated by divorce), fell on the ice, undergoing an injury for which she sought alleviation through the reading of Bible passages. Therefore, cure and revelation followed this pivotal incident. She moved six times in 1866 and numerous times in 1867 and 1868. Sarah Bagley, Hiram Crafts, Sally Wentworth, Mrs. Webster of Amesbury, and Richard Kennedy appear in the story of the religion's origins in these years. By 1870 Mary Baker Glover, she had resumed using the name of her first husband, and Richard Kennedy moved to Lynn, Massachusetts where he was to undertake a practice as a healer. In 1875 the first edition of SCIENCE AND HEALTH was completed. In 1877 she married Gilbert Eddy, becoming thus Mary Baker Eddy. Following Gilbert's death, Calvin Frye became a member of her household, remaining there for the twenty eight years left of her life. THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE JOURNAL, beginning in 1883, had as its main purpose the dissemination of an awareness of Christian Science. Mrs. Eddy was assisted in polishing her writing by James Henry Wiggins, a Unitarian clergyman. She operated by a single standard, what was good for Christian Science. Mrs. Eddy used discordant elements in her personality in the service of her movement. After the founding of the Church, she ceased to have a private life. The fusion was successful. The second half of her life was one of great achievement and assistance to others. This psychoanalytic portrait is excellent.