Mary Beale

Mary Beale, an English artist, born in Suffolk in 1632, died Dec. 28, 1697. She became noted as a portrait painter in 1672, for the beauty of her coloring, which she had attained by copying the paintings of Correggio, Vandyke, and others. She studied with Sir Peter Lely, and painted the portraits of the bishop of Chester, the earl of Clarendon, and other distinguished persons. She worked in oils, water colors, and crayons, and received large prices for her pictures. Her husband was a painter and color-maker, but had no reputation as an artist. Mrs. Beale was well educated, and wrote some poetical pieces.

Mary Berry

Mary Berry, an English writer, born in Yorkshire in 1762, died in London, Nov. 20, 1852. She and her elder sister Agnes (who had much artistic talent, and died in May, 1851) became acquainted in 1787 with Horace Wal-pole, who called them his two little wives. Mary vindicated him in the "Edinburgh Review" against the criticisms of Macaulay, and she, her Bister, and their father, a gentleman of wealth, were his literary executors, and in 1797 published an edition of his works in 5 vols. Mary Berry published her own works, "England and France," "Life of Rachel, Lady Russell," and a comedy entitled "Fashionable Friends", in 2 vols, in 1844. Lady Theresa Lewis edited in 1866 "Life and Correspondence of Miss Mary Berry."

Mary Dyer

Mary Dyer, a victim to the persecution which befell the Quakers in the early history of Massachusetts, hanged on Boston common, June 1, 1660. The government of Massachusetts banished Quakers and sentenced to death any one of them who should be guilty of a second visit to the colony. The statute was construed as an invitation instead of a menace by those against whom it was directed. Mary Dyer had departed from their jurisdiction upon the enactment of the law, but soon after returned on purpose to offer up her life. She was arrested and sent to prison, was reprieved after being led forth to execution, and was against her will conveyed out of the colony. She speedily returned and suffered as a willing martyr.

Mary Elizabeth Braddon

Mary Elizabeth Braddon, an English novelist, born in London in 1837. Her father, Mr. Henry Braddon, a solicitor, contributed to sporting papers, and she early exhibited literary talent. In 1860 her comedietta, " The Lover of Arcadia," was performed at the Strand theatre, and in 1861 she published " Garibaldi and other Poems," and a series of tales in the "Temple Bar " and " St. James's " magazines. In 1862 her novel, " Lady Audley's Secret," secured for her a wide reputation, which has been increased by "Aurora Floyd," "Sir Jasper's Tenants," " Only a Clod," andmany other sensational and attractive novels, the most recent of which, " To the Bitter End," appeared in 1872. Miss Braddon edits the "Belgravia" magazine.

Mary Francis (Thornycroft)

Mary Francis (Thornycroft), an English sculptress, born at Thomham, Norfolk, in 1814. She was a pupil of her father, John Francis (1780-1861), who attained great eminence in London as a portrait sculptor, and executed busts of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, Wellington, and many of the statesmen of his time. In 1840 she married Mr. Thorny-croft, also a pupil of her father, and in 1842 accompanied him to Rome, where she received instructions from Thorwaldsen and Gibson. After her return in 1843 she was employed to execute statues of four of the royal children in the character of the four seasons. Her works include "The Flower Girl," "Sappho," "Sleeping Child," and "Girl Skipping".