Mary Peabody Mann
Mary Tyler Peabody Mann was an influential American educator, writer, and advocate for education in the 19th century. Born in 1806 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, she was raised in a Unitarian household that instilled strong religious and educational values. After being homeschooled, Mann began her teaching career and, along with her sister Elizabeth, established a girls' school in Boston between 1825 and 1832, which focused on nurturing individual talents. Following the school's closure due to financial mismanagement, she briefly co-founded another school with her younger sister, Sophia, before returning to Cambridge.
In 1833, Mann married Horace Mann, a prominent educational reformer, and became an active partner in his work, contributing to his publications. She authored several works, including "Christianity in the Kitchen: A Physiological Cook Book," exploring themes of morality and nutrition. After her husband's death in 1859, she dedicated herself to preserving his legacy and opened a new school in Concord. Mann continued to influence education with her writings, including "Moral Culture of Infancy," and worked on a novel reflecting her experiences in Cuba. She passed away in 1887, leaving behind a significant impact on educational reform and women's roles in society.
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Mary Peabody Mann
Educator
- Born: November 16, 1806
- Birthplace: Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Died: February 11, 1887
Biography
Mary Tyler Peabody Mann was born in 1806 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Unitarian religion played a very prominent role in the Peabody household, and Mary and her sisters remained connected with the church even after their involvement with the Transcendentalism movement.
Mann, who was homeschooled, decided to start a career as a teacher at the direction of her older sister. In 1825 Mann moved with her sister Elizabeth to Boston, where the two opened a girls school. From 1825 to 1832 the school was rather successful, emphasizing students’ unique and natural talents. The school closed after it was discovered that somebody had been stealing from the school’s budget. In the years to follow, Mann opened another school with her younger sister Sophia. This lasted for a short time, and the sisters decided to return to their hometown.
In 1883 Mary married Horace Mann, with whom she had three children. She assisted him with his work and contributed to his Common School Journal. In 1858 Mary wrote Christianity in the Kitchen: A Physiological Cook Book, which discussed morals, nutrition, and other topics. Horace passed away in 1859, and the brokenhearted Mary took up residence in Concord, where she opened another school. She worked on writing her husband’s biography, collecting and publishing his life’s work.
In 1863 Mann published “Moral Culture of Infancy” with her sister Elizabeth’s “Kindergarten Guide,” which introduced new ideas into education. At this time Mann was also working on a novel about her time in Cuba (1832-1835) titled Romance of a Real Life in Cuba Fifty Years Ago, which would not find publication until after her death. Mann died in 1887.