Foreword
In her Life of Mary Baker Eddy, Sibyl Wilbur says: "Mrs. Eddy revealed a bread interest in woman's work all over the world. She likewise maintained an active, alert interest in the sermons and public speeches of eminent men, and either by herself or through her editors, she reviewed philosophic treatises that came from the press. ... To doctors, clergymen, and philosophers she gave intellectual attention and wile she lived in the world of affairs, she lived in it broadly, deeply, generously, acting her own part as a leader wisely, but yielding courteous consideration to all other leaders in whatever movement and without regard to sex."
The number of men and women mentioned by Mrs. Eddy in her writings and the wide diversification of their fields of interest confirm her awareness not only of the contributions of her contemporaries, but also of those of the past. Most of the biographical sketches in this book have appeared in substantially the same form in the Christian Science Sentinel under the healing, "Mrs. Eddy Mentioned Them." Because of space limitations, the sketches could not be exhaustive; it is hoped that in the case of world-renowned figures the sketches will serve to refresh memory as to the life and character of these individuals, and in the case of minor literary or political figures will set forth facts no longer easily obtainable or generally known. The endeavor in each sketch has been to provide a specific link, whenever possible, with what prompted Mrs. Eddy's mention of the individual.
Board of Trustees
The Christian Science Publishing Society