Mary Baker Eddy

Profession: Christian Science Founder

Nationality:

Biography: Mary Baker Eddy was an American religious leader and author who was the founder of Christian Science, a religious movement that emerged in the United States in the late 19th century. Her teachings, largely based on the idea that reality is entirely spiritual and the material world illusory, led to a unique perspective on health and healing.

Eddy's foray into spiritual healing was a result of personal health issues. After experiencing a significant healing from a life-threatening injury, reportedly through prayer and reading the Bible, Eddy became convinced of the effectiveness of spiritual healing. This led her to establish Christian Science, a doctrine centered on the idea that illnesses are illusions that can be healed by prayer and a better understanding of God.

Eddy also authored "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," a book explaining her philosophical and health-related ideas, and which Christian Scientists consider a companion to the Bible. Through her teachings, Eddy asserted the power of the mind over the body, and the ultimate unreality of sickness.

Her efforts weren't limited to the establishment of a religious movement and authorship. In 1879, she founded the Church of Christ, Scientist—an organization intended "to commemorate the word and works of Christ Jesus" and "reinstate primitive Christianity and its lost element of healing." In 1908, she launched the international daily newspaper, The Christian Science Monitor, to combat what she perceived as the sensationalism of the mainstream press.

Born: July 16, 1821
Birthplace: Bow, New Hampshire, USA
Star Sign: Cancer

Died: December 3, 1910 (aged 89)