Lyon, Mary (1797-1849)
Item
Title
Lyon, Mary (1797-1849)
Lyon, Mary Mason (1797-1849)
Contributor
Raisch, Elly
birthday
1797-02-28
Birthplace
Buckland, MA
Death Date
1849-03-05
Occupation
Educator
Biographical Text
Mary Lyon was the founder of both Wheaton Female Seminary and Mount Holyoke Female Seminary, today known as Wheaton College and Mount Holyoke College respectively. Born to a family of modest means, Lyon aided her brother in running their family farm after her father Aaron’s death and mother Jemima’s departure to remarry. She attended both Sanderson Academy and Byfield Seminary, the latter where she met educator Ziplah Polly Grant, who would influence her ideas for Mount Holyoke. In 1834, Lyon would aid Laban Wheaton and Eliza Baylies Chapin Wheaton in founding Wheaton Female Seminary by developing the curriculum. Later in 1837 she opened Mount Holyoke Female Seminary, where she served as its first president for nearly 12 years. Lyon’s primary goals in for Mount Holyoke were to provide a curriculum equal to that of men’s colleges and to ensure that tuition was affordable for women of all economic backgrounds. She continued her work until her death of erysipelas at age 52.
