Booth, Mary (1869-1956)

Field of activity
Physician and Public Health Worker; feminist; general practitioner; immigration promoter; pro-conscriptionist; public servant; social worker; women's activist; Physician and Public health worker
NLA Persistent Identifier
http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-771086

Biographies

BOOTH, MARY (1869-1956), physician and welfare worker, was born on 9 July 1869 at Burwood, Sydney, eldest of three daughters of William Booth, schoolmaster, and his wife Ruth, née Sewell. Educated by Mrs Cornell, she matriculated from Airlie School in 1886 and attended the University of Sydney (B.A., 1890). In 1891-93 she was governess to the children of the Earl of Jersey, governor of New South Wales. A legacy from her maternal grandfather Thomas Sewell in 1893 gave her some financial independence. After briefly studying as a medical student at the University of Melbourne in 1894, she left for Scotland, accompanied by her sister Eliza (Bay), and in July next year enrolled at the College of Medicine for Women, University of Edinburgh (M.B., C.M., 1899). After some experience in infirmaries, she returned to Sydney in 1900.

View the full record at Australian Dictionary of Biography Online

Mary Booth graduated in Arts from the University of Sydney before studying medicine at the University of Edinburgh (graduating in 1899). On her return to Australia she lectured in hygiene at girls secondary schools in Sydney, and for the Department of Public Instruction and the Sydney Teachers College 1904-1909. In 1910-1912 she helped establish the first school medical service in Victoria and was later involved in household health and welfare. She was the founder and office bearer of many patriotic associations, such as the Anzac Fellowship of Women (president 1921-1956). She was appointed OBE - Officer of The Order of the British Empire (Civil) - 4 October 1918, for her work with the Friendly Union of Soldier's Wives. Booth also founded the Women's Club in Sydney in 1901, the Centre for Soldiers Wives and Mothers in 1915 and the Memorial College of Househod Arts and Science in 1936, and was involved with the University of Sydney Society for Combating Venereal Disease, the League of Nations Union, the New Settlers' League and the Australian Institute of International Affairs. She had a keen interest in eugenics and was a member of the Anthropometric Committee of the Australian Association for the Advancement of Science from 1908.

Independent candidate for North shaw in 1920.

Mary Booth was born in Sydney and educated privately, at Airlie School and then University of Sydney. From 1891-1893 she was governess to the children of the Earl of Jersey, then governor of NSW. In 1894 she began studying medicine at the University of Melbourne, but transferred to Edinburgh, from which she graduated in 1899. She returned to Sydney in 1900 but did not practise medicine for long. She taught hygiene at girls’ secondary schools, and was lecturer in hygiene for the NSW Department of Public Instruction 1904-09. In 1910-12 she helped establish the Victorian school medical service. She was very active during World War I, founding the Babies’ Kit Society and the Soldiers Club. She was on the executive committee of the Universal Service League and campaigned in favour of conscription. Running as an independent feminist, she stood in the first election for which women were entitled to be candidates. Two years later, in 1922, she failed to gain nomination for the Senate election though she was supported by the Women’s Reform League. In 1921 she founded the Anzac Fellowship of Women, and remained its president until 1956. From 1921, she was involved in the Dreadnought Scheme which brought out boy immigrants, and from 1925 to 1944 published a monthly magazine, Boy Settler. She was an inveterate joiner and activist and belonged to numerous organizations including the League of Nations Union, the Town Planning Association, and the English Speaking Union. Her last major initiative was to found the Memorial College of Household Arts and Sciences in 1936, to which young women went to learn the domestic arts, as Dr Booth believed :”good wives made good husbands”. After her death and the sale of the property, the funds were used to found the Dr Mary Booth scholarship for women economics students at the University of Sydney.

View the full record at Australian Women's Register

Mary Booth lectured in hygiene at girls' secondary schools in Sydney from 1900 and for the Department of Public Instruction 1904-09. In 1910-12 she helped establish the first schools medical service in Victoria and was later involved in household health and welfare. She is commemorated by the Mary Booth scholarship for women economics students, University of Sydney.

  • 1890 Education - Bachelor of Arts (BA) completed at the University of Sydney
  • 1891 - 1893 Career position - Governess
  • 1899 Career position - Infirmary work in the UK
  • 1899 Education - Bachelor of Medicine (MB) and Master of Surgery (CM) completed at the College of Medicine for Women, University of Edinburgh, Scotland
  • 1900 Career position - Anthropometrist in the Department of the Government Statistician
  • 1900 - 1910 Career position - Private practice with much contractual work
  • 1904 - 1909 Career position - Lecturer in Hygiene for the Department of Public Instruction
  • 1910 - 1912 Career position - Helped to establish the first school medical service in Victoria for the Victorian Department of Education
  • 1913 Career position - Represented the Australian Government at a Conference on Infant Mortality in London
  • 1914 Career position - Founded the Babies' Kit Society for the Allies' Babies
  • 1918 Award - Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
  • 1921 - 1956 Career position - President of the Anzac Fellowship of Women
  • 1936 Career position - Founded Memorial College of Household Arts and Science

View the full record at Encyclopedia of Australian Science

Related people and organisations

Resources for Mary Booth

Selected resources (19)

Australian Dictionary of Biography Online

Australian Women's Register

  1. Booth, Mary (1869 - 1956), Biographical EntryBright Sparcs : Booth, Mary (1869 - 1956), Biographical Entry
    [2002]
    Published: Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre
    Series: http://www.asap.unimelb.edu.au/bsparcs/biogs/P000963b.htm
  2. Booth, Mary (1869-1956)Australian Dictionary of Biography Online 07 : Booth, Mary (1869-1956)
    Roe, J.I.
    [2006]
    Published: Australian National University
    Series: http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A070350b.htm
  3. The soldiers' club, 1915-1923Journal of Australian Studies 24 64 177-186 : The soldiers' club, 1915-1923
    Brooklyn, Bridget
    [2000]
  4. Faith, Hope and Charity Australian Women and Imperial Honours: 1901-1989
    Australian Women's Archives Project
    [2003]
    Published: Australian Women's Archives Project
    Series: http://www.womenaustralia.info/exhib/honours/honours.html
  5. Who's Who in Australia, 1947
    Chisholm, Alec H
    [1947]
    Published: The Herald and Weekly Times
  6. The 'Woman Question' in Melbourne, 1880-1914
    Kelly, Farley
    [1983]
    Published: Monash University
  7. Where are the Women in Australian science?
    Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre
    [2003]
    Published: Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre
    Series: http://www.austehc.unimelb.edu.au/wisa/wisa.html
  8. Mitchell and Dixson Libraries Manuscripts Collection, State Library of New South Wales: Mary Booth Papers (1905 - 1957)
    Correspondence and other papers relating to the ANZAC Fellowship of Women, including the London branch, 1923-1949; Centre for Soldiers' Wives and Mothers Committee minutes, 1916-1919, together with correspondence and printed material; Memorial College of Household Arts and Sciences, Kirribilli, minutes, 1935-1939, appeals and other correspondence, 1935-1938; The Lecture Club, minutes 1905-1913; misc. personal correspodence and correspondence and other papers re various organisations (inlcuding the ANZAC Fellowship of Women, the Empire Service Club for Boy Settlers, the Women's Standing Committee on Housing, the Centre for Soldiers' Wives and Mothers Committee, the Memorial College of Household Arts and Sciences and the Women's Migration Council of New South Wales).
    ML MSS 2109
  9. Mitchell and Dixson Libraries Manuscripts Collection, State Library of New South Wales: Henrietta Eliza Bertha Rose Papers (1749 - 1974)
    Contents include letters from Mary Booth, 1928-1956 and material relating to the Country Women's Association of New South Wales, 1924-1930.
    ML MSS 2728/13-15
  10. Mitchell and Dixson Libraries Manuscripts Collection, State Library of New South Wales: Mrs Ruth Mackinnon, 'Mary Booth a Biography'
    An entry for a competition conducted by the Society of Women Writers.
    ML DOC 1530
  11. National Library of Australia Manuscript Collection: Mary Booth - Records
    Anzac Fellowship of Women papers and R.R. Garran papers.
  12. Mitchell and Dixson Libraries Manuscripts Collection, State Library of New South Wales: Mary Booth Papers (1899 - 1957)
    Booth papers 1899-1957 including correspondence and related records 1899-1957 (these inlcude records relating to Booth's early professional career and her involvement in the Anthropometric Committee of the Australasian Association for the Advancement of Science); records relating to the Centre for Soldiers, Wives and Mothers (Letterbook) 1917-17; documents concerned with the Anzac Fellowship of Women 1921-57; newspaper cuttings 1933-1937 (mainly re ANZAC Festival). See also publishing file from Angus and Robertson Archives 1922 [ML MSS 314/12 pp581-3].
    ML MSS 1329

Encyclopedia of Australian Science

  1. Booth, Mary (1869-1956), physician and welfare workerAustralian Dictionary of Biography Bede Nairn and Geoffrey Serle 7 345-346 : Booth, Mary (1869-1956), physician and welfare worker
    Roe, J. I.
    [1979]
    Published: Melbourne University Press
  2. The Scope and Organisation of a School Medical ServiceTransaction of the Australasian Medical Congress 650-655 : The Scope and Organisation of a School Medical Service
    Booth, Mary
    [1911]
  3. Who's Who in Australia 1944
    Alexander, John A.
    [1944]
    Published: The Herald and Weekly Times Ltd
  4. National Library of Australia Manuscript Collection: Mary Booth - Records (c. 1918 - 1979)
    The records include minutes of meetings of the Anzac Fellowship of Women, 1925-1928, 1931-1939, 1958-1962, 1965-1967, Secretary's reports 1924, correspondence, diaries, photographs, press clippings, publications and other material relating to the work of the Fellowship. The collection includes material from other associations also founded by Dr Mary Booth such as the Soldiers' Club and the Empire Service Clubs. The records of the Soldiers' Club, ca. 1918-ca. 1923 include day books, diaries, lists of members, report books and a staff time book. The Empire Service Club records include a minute book 1928-1940, register 1928, sketch book, lists of members, index to letters 1930-1936 and a petty cash book 1944.
    MS 2864
  5. Mitchell and Dixson Libraries Manuscripts Collection, State Library of New South Wales: Mary Booth - Records (1899 - 1957)
    Booth papers 1899-1957 including correspondence and related records 1899-1957 [4 vols, ML MSS 1329]; records relating to the Centre for Soldiers, Wives and Mothers (Letterbook) 1917-17;documents concerned with the Anzac Fellowship of Women 1921-57; newspaper cuttings 1933-1937; further papers 1905-57 [5 boxes, ML MSS 2109].
    ML MSS 1329
  6. Mitchell and Dixson Libraries Manuscripts Collection, State Library of New South Wales: Angus & Robertson - Records (1824 - 1933)
    Includes correspondence, manuscripts, readers reports, cuttings, agreements and publishing papers.
    ML MSS 314

Resources about Mary Booth (3)

  1. Gen. Mary Booth
    [ Photograph : 1938 ]
    View online
    At State Library of NSW
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 8.308)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 8.308)

  2. [Biography of Dr Mary Booth]
    Mackinnon, R. Mrs
    [ Unpublished : 1970 ]
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 6.4)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 6.4)

  3. Portrait of Dr. Mary Booth, O.B.E. J.S. Watkins
    Watkins, J. S. (John Samuel), 1866-1942
    [ Art work : 1930 ]
    View online
    At National Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 5.864)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 5.864)

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  1. Booth
    Created by girrgee, 6 items.

  2. Booth
    Created by MMJN, 1 item.

  3. Booth History
    Created by peebooth, 4 items.

    First mention of Wife and Son on board?

  1. Booth, Edwin Thomas (1833-1893)
    ... Junius Brutus Booth (1796-1852) and Mary Ann Holmes (d.1885) and elder brother of ...
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.124)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.124)

  2. Booth, Joseph John (1886-1965)
    ... BOOTH, JOSEPH JOHN (1886-1965), Anglican archbishop, was born on 26 May 1886 at ...
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.123)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.123)

  3. Booth, Mary L., (Mary Louise) (1831-1889)
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.044)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.044)

  1. Website: Australian Women in War
    www.womenaustralia.info
    Matching pages:
    View 41 matching archived pages
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.076)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.076)

  2. Website: Bright sparcs
    www.asap.unimelb.edu.au
    Matching pages:
    • Booth, Mary- Biographical entry - 25/1/2000
    • ... or additions to bsparcs@asap.unimelb.edu.au [[Be a Bright Sparcs Sponsor]] Booth, Mary (1869 - 1956) Career Highlights Archival...
    View 12 matching archived pages
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.048)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.048)

  3. Website: Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre
    www.austehc.unimelb.edu.au
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    View 299 matching archived pages
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.047)

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  1. [Biographical cuttings on Dr Mary Booth, welfare worker, containing one or more cuttings from newspapers or journals]
    [ Published : 1900-1990 ]
    At National Library
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.186)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.186)

  2. Booth, Charles (1840-1916) and Mary Catherine (1847-1939)
    Booth | Charles | 1840-1916 | shipowner and sociologistBooth | Mary Catherine | 1847-1939 | nee Macaulay | writer
    [ Unpublished : 2006 ]
    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.093)

    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.093)

  3. Papers
    Booth, Mary
    [ Unpublished : 1918-1979 ]
    At National Library
    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.086)

    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.086)

  1. Catherine Bramwell-Booth / Mary Batchelor
    Batchelor, Mary
    [ Book, Audio book : 1986-1990 ]
    At 24 libraries
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.397)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.397)

  2. Charles Booth : a memoir / Mary Booth
    Booth, Mary Mrs
    [ Book : 1918 ]
    At 2 libraries
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.279)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.279)

  3. Reload : rethinking women + cyberculture / edited by Mary Flanagan and Austin Booth
    Flanagan, Mary, 1969-
    [ Book : 2002 ]
    At 25 libraries
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.276)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.276)

  4. Cannabis : a history / Martin Booth
    Booth, Martin
    [ Book : 2003-2004 ]
    At 60 libraries
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.242)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.242)

  1. Catherine Bramwell-Booth / Mary Batchelor
    Batchelor, Mary
    [ Book, Audio book : 1986-1990 ]
    At 24 libraries
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.397)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.397)

  2. The stone diaries / Carol Shields
    Shields, Carol
    [ Book, Audio book : 1993-2008 ]
    Languages: English, Polish, Italian, [8 others]
    read online at Open Library/Internet Archive
    View online
    At 94 libraries
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.233)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.233)

  3. The last chronicle of Barset, by Anthony Trollope
    Trollope, Anthony, 1815-1882
    [ Book, Audio book, Article : 1867-2009 ]
    Languages: English, Undetermined
    read online at Open Library/Internet Archive
    View online
    At 79 libraries
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.159)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.159)

  4. Blood on the tongue / Stephen Booth
    Booth, Stephen, 1952-
    [ Book, Audio book : 2002-2008 ]
    Languages: English, Czech
    At 40 libraries
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.138)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.138)

  1. The last tragedian : Booth tells his own story
    Skinner, Otis
    [ Periodical : 1939 ]
    At National Library
    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.257)

    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.257)

  2. Dear Mary.(YOUR PROBLEMS SOLVED)(Column)
    Killen, Mary
    Spectator
    [ Article : 2007-2012 ]
    View online (conditions apply)
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.159)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.159)

  3. The last chronicle of Barset, by Anthony Trollope
    Trollope, Anthony, 1815-1882
    [ Book, Audio book, Article : 1867-2009 ]
    Languages: English, Undetermined
    read online at Open Library/Internet Archive
    View online
    At 79 libraries
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.138)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.138)

  4. The sonnets ; and, A lover's complaint / William Shakespeare ; edited by John Kerrigan
    Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616
    [ Book, Audio book, Article : 1609-2011 ]
    Languages: English, French, Russian, [12 others]
    read online at Open Library/Internet Archive
    View online
    At 141 libraries
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.113)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.113)

  1. SALVATION ARMY OFFICIALS. Colonel Mary Booth Interned.
    The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954) Monday 29 July 1940 p 8 Article
    ... SALVATION ARMY OFFICIALS. Colonel Mary Booth Interned. LONDON, July 27.-The Germans have, interned Colonel Mary Booth, of the Salvation vation Army. and her secretary, Colonel Eva Smith. [Colonel Booth, second daughter of the late General Bramwell Booth, according to the latest information ... 110 words
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.945)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.945)

  2. OUT OF GERMANY. Colonel Mary Booth.
    The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954) Monday 16 November 1942 p 2 Article
    ... OUT OF GERMANY. Colonel Mary Booth. LONDON, Nov. 15.--A message from Ankara states that Colonel Mary Booth. a granddaughter of General Booth, has arrived there from Germany. where she was in terned ... acquitted and interned." Colonel Booth was a member of a party of Anglo-Palestinian women who were ... 108 words
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.945)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.945)

  3. DR. MARY BOOTH VISIT TO CANBERRA
    The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1954) Tuesday 19 June 1928 p 2 Article
    ... DR. MARY BOOTH VISIT TO CANBERRA Dr. Mary Booth, well-known in Sydney ney for her activities in I ... at Hotel Wellington. ' * Dr. Mary Booth is the president of the Anzac"Fcllowghlp-of Women, which has ... to the welfare of dreadnought boys. "The club considers,'' said Dr..Mary Booth, "that Immigration to ... 234 words
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.944)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.944)