Women of History
M

Ma (1) â (40 â 79 AD)

Chinese empress consort (60 â 75 AD)

Ma was the daughter of the Marquis Ma Yuan, general of the Emperor Guangwu and his wife Lady Lin. Her father and much of his army died of the plague whilst involved in an expedition against the Wulin tribes (49 AD) and his enemies at court succeeded in posthumously blackening his name which resulted in the family being stripped of their titles and benefices. Despite this disgrace Ma became a consort of the Crown Prince Liu Zhuang, and maintained excellent relations with her mother-in-law, the Empress Yin Lihua and the other royal wives alike. Ma quickly attained her husbandâs favour and supplied him with beautiful ladies from the court to share his bed, so he would have sons. She herself remained childless. At the command of her husband she formally adopted Prince Da, the son of her niece and raised him as her own. Her husband succeeded Guangwu as the Emperor Ming (57 AD) and several years later Ma was accorded the imperial styles and titles (60 AD). At the same time Ming raised up Da as crown prince.

Empress Ma retained her husbandâs respect and admiration because she refused to allow her relatives to profit from her position, and she was consulted concerning troublesome matters of state, her advice always carefully given. With the executions that followed the abortive conspiracy of her brother-in-law Prince Liu Ying (71 BC) the empress successfully interceded on behalf of many and the retribution was tapered off. Ma survived her husband as Empress Dowager (75 â 79 AD) and Da ascended the throne as Emperor Zhang. When Zhang wanted to create Maâs brothers marquesses she refused to consider it as their rank did not deserve it. When he gave them the titles they desired anyway (79 AD) the Empress Dowager so arranged it that they resigned their lucrative government positions, and thus removed some of their acquired wealth. A woman of scholarly tastes the Empress Ma educated the sons of Zhang in the wisdom of Confucius and established a mulberry garden for silkworms which provided some of the silks used in the Imperial household. Sometimes known by the name Mingde she was revered as âthe understanding and virtuous empress.â

Ma (2) â (c1340 â 1382)

Chinese empress consort (1368 â 1382)

Ma was the daughter of the leader of the Red Turbans, a military group which opposed the overlordship of the Mongol empire. This rebel group was joined by her future husband (1353), Zhu Yuanzhang (1328 â 1398), the son of a common labourer, who later married Ma (c1355), and governed the region around Nanjing. Zhu Yuanzhang later succeeded as emperor with the name Hongwu (1368), and Ma was accorded the Imperial title, though her marriage remained childless. Remembered for her kindly and motherly nature, the empress died aged in her early forties, and was interred at Nanjing. Her husbandâs successor, his grandson, Emperor Jianwen (1398 â 1402) was married to one of the empressâs own relatives, another Ma, who was granted the Imperial title, but died young (1395). The Emperor Yongle (1403 â 1424) is officially recorded as the child of the elder Empress Ma, but he was most probably the child of a concubine who was adopted by the empress (1360).

Ma (3) â (c1377 â 1395)

Chinese empress consort

Ma became the wife (c1390) of the Emperor Jianwen (1399 â 1402), to whom she bore two sons who did not succeed to the Imperial throne. She was the related to the Empress Ma, the wife of the Emperor Hongwu, and came from a powerful military family. Jianwen was offically placed as co-ruler with his father, but though he and Ma were accorded the Imperial titles, Hongwu retained real power. Empress Ma died young, before her husband succeeded his grandfather as sole ruler, and came to his ultimate disastrous and ignominious end.

Maacah â (c975 â after 908 BC)

Hebrew queen consort

Maacah was the daughter of Absalom and granddaughter of King David. She became the favourite wife of her cousin King Rehoboam (c967 â 910 BC), the son of Solomon. Rehoboam also married her sister Mahalath at the same time.Queen Maacah was the mother of Rehoboamâs son and successor Abijah. During her sonâs reign (911 â 908 BC) she was an influential person at court being granted the rank of queen mother. With Abijahâs death, Maacah appears to have ruled as regent for her grandson, King Asa. Later, Asa caused her to be formally deposed, and withdrew the honours granted her because of her involvement with idolatry, though it is possible that these charges could have been arranged by the young kingâs councillors in order that the queen mother be removed from power.

Maacah of Geshur â (fl. c1000 â c980 BC)

Hebrew princess

Maacah of Geshur was the daughter of Talmai, King of Geshur, and was given as a secondary wife to David, King of Israel, to cement a peaceful alliance. Never accorded the title of queen, Maacah was the mother of two of Davidâs children. Her beautiful daughter Tamar was raped and by her half-brother, Amnon. Her son Absalom, after murdering Amnon for dishonouring his sister, fled to the court of Maacahâs father, at Geshur. Absalom was later removed by his stepmother Bathsheba and half-brother Solomon, on the grounds of treason, after he attempted to marry Abishag, his elderly fatherâs widow.

Maar, Dora â (1907 â 1997)

French artist and photographer

Born Theodora Markovic (Nov 22, 1907) in France, she was the daughter of an architect, and was raised in Argentina, South America.Dark-haired and attractive, she came to Paris (1925) where she was a model for Man Ray (1890 â 1976), the noted Dadaist and surrealist photographer, and adopted the proferssiona; name of âDora Maar.â She then joined the Union of Intellectuals Against Fascism. After meeting the artist Pablo Picasso she recorded the painting of his piece Guernica (1937) using photography. Dora Maar was Picassoâs mistress for almost a decade but was forced to share his affections with his longtime lover, Marie Therese Walter. She was the model for several of Picassoâs paintings including Weeping Woman (1937), Woman Reclining With a Book, Bust of a Seated Woman and Portrait of Dora Maar (1942), amongst others. With the end of her relationship with Picasso, Maar embarked upon a relationship with the writer James Lord, fifteen years her junior, who published an account of their affair in a memoir (1993). During the 1950âs Dora Maar turned increasingly to painting, and an exhibition of her work was held (1990) at the Paris gallery 1900 â 2000. Dora Maar died (July 16, 1997) aged eighty-nine, in Paris.

Maas, Audrey Gellen â (1934 â 1975)

American author and film producer

Audrey Gellen was born (Dec 7, 1934) in New York. She became the wife of Peter Maas (1929 â 2001), the novelist and screenwriter. Audrey Maas wrote screen adaptations for several television productions such as Our Town (1959), The Philadelphia Story (1959), The Heiress (1961), and Harvey (1972). She later went into television production with A Moon for the Misbegotten (1975) and Eleanor and Franklin (1976). Maas produced the film Alice Doesnât Live Here Anymore (1974). Audrey Maas died (July 2, 1975) aged forty.

Maathorneferure â (c1262 â c1210 BC)Â

Queen consort of Egypt

Maathorneferure (Maneferure) was the daughter of Hattsulis III, King of the Hittites and his wife, the Queen Pudu-hepa. She became one of the wives of the famous King Ramesses II (c1305 â 1213 BC) in the thirty-fourth year of his reign (c1246 BC) after considerable diplomatic wrangling. The marriage was an imprtant one in Egyptian history and it marked the final reconciliation of the two countries, formerly enemies since the reign of King Ay in the previous century. The celebrations lasted for a full year. The name Maathorneferure was assumed at her marriage, her former name remains unknown. The marriage proved such a success that Ramesses married a second Hittite princess. Maathorneferure was raised to the rank of âGreat Wifeâ which she shared with his Ramessesâ other chief queens, which included her stepdaughters, Bintanath I, Merytamun and Nebttawy. Her name which meant âshe who beholds the Falcon (king) that is the splendour of Re,â appeared on monuments of Pi-Ramesses, as a full queen on royal statuary and on glazed plaques, used as amulets or laid in foundation deposits. The queen was depicted with her father on a stela at Abu Simbel and was remembered in the so-called Bentresh stela of the Ptolemaic period, which is preserved in the Louvre Museum in Paris. In later years the queen appears to have retired to the royal estate at Gurob and died during the reign of her stepson, Merneptah.

Maatkare I â (fl. c1100 â c1050 BC)

Queen consort of Egypt

Maatkare I was the daughter and later chief queen to King Pinudjem II who ruled (c1070 â c1032 BC), though she has been incorrectly claimed as a daughter of King Psusennes I. As a child Maatkare became consecrated as priestess to the Theban god Amun and received the honorific title âGodâs Wife of Amun.â She is depicted thus as a child. Her mummy was discovered inside the tomb of Queen Inhapi at Der-el-Bahri (1881) and entombed with her was a mummified pet monkey, thought by the original excavators to her own child. This mistake was the cause of some wildly romantic stories and theories which were circulated concerning Maatkareâs supposed fall from grace. Her mummy is preserved in the Cairo Museum.

Maatkare II â (fl. c950 â c920 BC)

Queen consort of Egypt

Maatkare II was the daughter of King Psusennes II and became the wife of King Osorkon I (c960 â c886 BC). At her fatherâs death (c945 BC), the throne was taken by Shoshenq I who caused Maatkare to be married to his son and heir Osorkon. Her rights to the throne as heiress were set forth in a long inscription in the temple of Karnak. Their son and heir, Shoshenq served as high-priest but predeceased his father.

âMabâÂ Â see Â Â Â Fotheringhame, Pattie Lewis

Mabel of BellemeÂ Â Â seeÂ Â Â Â Talvas, Mabel

Mabel of Bury St Edmunds â (fl. 1239 â 1256)

English medieval embroiderer

Mabel of Bury St Edmunds worked for the family of King Henry III (1216 â 1272) and his wife Eleanor of Provence. Her name was mentioned frequently in surviving records. Mabel was highly paid for her work, which included chasubles and religious vestments for use in the royal chapel, which were decorated with precious gems and pearls. She also produced a banner with images of the Virgin Mary and St John the Baptist (1244). Over a decade after she had left the royal service, Mabel received gifts from the king in recognition of her services.

Mabena â (fl. c470 AD â c500)

Welsh saint

Sometimes called Mabina and Maby, Mabena is believed to have been one of the many children or grandchildren of the Welsh king Brychan of Brecknock, and his wife Ribrawst. She was the sister or niece of St Eiluned (Almedha), but no details remain recorded of her life. Mabena was represented in a stained glass window in the church of St German in Cornwall, seated, with a dead Christ, crowned with thorns, resting in her lap. The church dedicated to St Mabe in the village of the same name is probably identical with Mabena.

Mabon, Inez - (1911 - 1992)

American newspaper publisher

Inez Camprubi was born in New York, the daughter of newspaperman Jose Camprubi, and attended the Art Students League in Manhattan. She became the wife of the publishing executive John Scott Mabon. Mrs Mabon ran the the La Prensa Spanish language newspaper (1950 - 1963) which had national circulation and had been originally founded by her father (1913). Inez Mabon died (March 6, 1992), aged eighty, at Southport in Connecticut.

Maboshoane â (c1875 â c1906)

African queen consort

Maboshoane was born a member of the Mafokeng tribe. She was married (c1894) to Mitchell (c1850 â 1922), the principal chief of the Matseâekheng in Lesotho. She was mother to Boshoane (1895 â 1940), who succeeded his father as principal chief (1922 â 1940). Queen Maboshoane died at Mapoteng.

Maby Â Â Â see Â Â Mabena

McAllister, Anne Hunter â (1892 â 1983)

Scottish speech therapist

Anne McAllister was born at Biggar in Lanarkshire. She began her career as a schoolteacher in Glasgow before joining the staff of the Jordanhill College of Education where she taught for three decades. McAllister personally trained speech therapists, writing their text-books, and becoming involved with extendive research on the subject of vocal improvement and speech training at Glasgow University. She later assissted speech education trainer William Boyd at his own clinic (1926) and established the Glasgow School of Speech Therapy (1935). Anne McAllister was one of the co-founders of the College of Speech Therapists.

Macarthur, Elizabeth â (1767 â 1850)

Anglo-Australian pastoralist and merchant

Born Elizabeth Veale at Bridgerule in Devon, England, she became the wife (1788) of John Macarthur. She accompanied him to New South Wales with the second fleet (1789) and his grant of land near Parramatta, outside Sydney was named Elizabeth Farm in her honour. Elizabeth managed her husbandâs business affairs and raised seven children during Macarthurâs abscences from New South Wales, including his period of exile in England (1810 â 1816) after the failure of the Rum Rebellion. The Macarthursâ were later granted more crown land at Camden where Elizabeth began successful experiementation with merino sheep. With this project she had the assistance of her husbandâs nephew, Hannibal Macarthur, and it would form the basis frm which would eventually develop the Australian wool industry. Governor Lachlan Macquarie later granted the couple a further six hundred acres in recognition of Elizabeth Macarthurâs contribution to the fledgling colonyâs growing agricultural system. Some of her correspondence survives.

Macarthur, Mary Reid â (1880 â 1921)

Scottish trade unionist

Mary Macarthur was born in Glasgow the daughter of a draper. Educated at Glasgow High School, she went to Germany for a year (1896) before returning to work in her fatherâs shop. Her meeting with the organiser of the Shop Assistantâs Union, John Turner, led her to join the union (1901). Though president of the Scottish National District (1902) Mary went to London (1903) where she became secretary of the Womenâs Trade Union League. Mary organized strikes, and maintained a constant battle for minimum wages and better working conditions. Her most famous campaigns concerned sweated labour (1906), outworkers (1907) and chainmakers (1910). She founded the National Federation of Women Workers (1906), and also the feminist journal Woman Worker (1907). A prominent member of the National Council of the Independent Labour Party (1909 â 1912), Mary campaigned for female munition workers during WW I. This work brought her into contact with Queen Mary, the wife of George V, and the two women were to remain friends. Mary Macarthur died aged only forty, having lost her husband William Anderson during the influenza epidemic (1919).

Macarthur-Onlsow, Elizabeth â (1840 â 1911)

Australian landowner and businesswoman

Elizabeth Macarthur was born at the estate of Camden Park, at Menangle, in New South Wales, the daughter of James Macarthur, and the granddaughter of Elizabeth Macarthur. Educated at home, she travelled Europe with her parents (1860 â 1864), before returning to Australia, where she married (1867) a naval captain, Arthur Walton Onslow, to whom she bore eight children. Widowed in 1882, Mrs Macarthur travelled in Europe with her children (1887 â 1891) and she eventually inherited the entirety of the Camden Park estate (1890), when she changed her name officially to Macarthur-Onslow (1892). Elizabeth Macarthur-Onslow now introduced twelve cooperative dairies at Camden Park, with a central creamery installed, to process cream to butter. It was a share-farming principle but the cows remained the property of the Macarthur family. The enterprise proved highly profitable, though Macarthur-Onslowâs project with the Victorian Silk Culture Association did not prove viable. She edited some of the family history in Some Early Records of the Macarthurs of Camden. Elizabeth Macarthur-Onslow died in England (Aug 2, 1911) aged seventy-one, whilst visiting her daughter.

Macarthur-Onslow, Rosa Sibella â (1871 â 1943)

Australian civic leader

Rosa Macarthur-Onslow was the daughter of Captain Arthur Onslow, an officer in the royal navy, and his wife Elizabeth Macarthur, the granddaughter of John and Elizabeth Veale Macarthur. Rosa was never married, adopting the hyphenated form of the family name, along with her mother and surviving siblings (1892). Rosa remained her motherâs constant companion and amanuensis, and completed the editing of her motherâs work, Some Early Records of the Macarthurs of Camden. With her motherâs death, Rosa Macarthur-Onslow received the estate of Camden Park House for the remainder of her life.

Macaulay, Catharine Graham â (1731 â 1791)

British historian

Born Catherine Sawbridge at Olantigh, near Wye in Kent, she was educated at home by her father, learning Latin and Greek from an early age. She was married (1760) to the Scottish physician George Macaulay. With his death (1766) she travelled to France (1777) and America (1784), during which visit she was the guest of President George Washington, who was to remain a friend. Catherine Macaulay remarried (1778) to the much younger William Graham, with whom she resided in Berkshire. Mrs Macaulay responded to the philosopher Thomas Hobbes, and took exception to Edmund Burkeâs Reflections on the Revoution in France (1790). She is best remembered for her eight volume work, History of England from the Accession of James I to that of the Brunswick Line (1763 â 1783), which took two decades to complete. Her own Letters on Education (1790) influenced Mary Wollstonecraftâs most famoust feminist text, the Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1792). Other published works included the Modest Plea for the Property of Copyright (1774) and Observations on Religious and Metaphysical Subjects (1790). Catharine Macaulay died at Binfield in Berkshire.

Macaulay, Fannie Caldwell â (1863 â 1941)

American novelist and author

Fannie Macaulay was born at Shelbyville in Kentucky during the Civil War. Having married and raised a family, her literary career did not take off until after the age of forty. Then, under the pseudonym of âFrances Little,â she produced works such as The Lady of the Decoration (1906), Little Sister Snow (1909), The Lady and Sada San (1912), The House of the Misty Star (1914), Camp Jolly (1917) and other novels. Fannie Macaulay died (Jan 6, 1941) aged seventy-seven.

Macaulay, Dame Rose â (1881 â 1958)Â Â

British novelist and writer

Emilie Rose Maucaulay was born (Aug 1, 1881) at Rugby in Warwickshire, the daughter of a Cambridge lecturer. She was the granddaughter of William John Conybeare, and resided near Genoa, in Italy during her childhood. She finished her education at home in England at Somerville College, Oxford. Macaulayâs first novels were Abbots Verney (1906), Views and Vagabonds (1912), Potterism (1920), a satiric attack on Victorian family values, and the prize winning The Lee Shore (1920). She never married and devoted the rest of her life to writing. Other works included Dangerous Ages (1921) for which she was awarded the Femina Vie Heureuse prize, Told by an Idiot (1923), Keeping Up Appearances (1928), I Would be a Private (1937) and And No Manâs Wit (1940). After the war she wrote two further novels The World My Wilderness (1950) and The Towers of Trebizond (1956) for which she was awarded the Tait Black Memorial Prize. She travelled the world extensively and some of her works in this field include They Went to Portugal (1946) and The Pleasure of Ruins (1953). Rose Macaulay was created DBE (Dame Commander of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth II (1958) in recognition of her lifelong contribution to literature. Her private correspondence was published posthumously in the trilogy Letters to a Friend (1961), Last Letters to a Friend (1962) and Letters to a Sister (1964). Dame Rose Macaulay died (Oct 30, 1958) aged seventy-seven, in London.

McAuley, Catherine Elizabeth â (1787 â 1841)Â

Irish nun and founder

Catherine McAuley was born in Dublin. Orphaned during childhood she was adopted by a Protestant couple, from whom she inherited some property. With this small inheritance McAuley built the House of Our Blessed Lady of Mercy in Dublin, which functioned as a school for orphans and the children of the poor, and also provided refuge for working women. After some persuasion by the Archbishop of Dublin, McAuley took vows as a nun with two others and founded the order of the Religious Sisters of Mercy (1831) which she ruled as superior till her death

McAuley, Eliza Isabella Campbell â (1866 â 1931)

Australian masseuse

Eliza McAuley was born in Whittlesea, Victoria, the daughter of David McAuley. Educated at Grace Park House in Hawthorn, she was employed as a governess, and then worked for ten years as a clerk for the Melbourne Tramway Company. Leaving this employ in 1898, Eliza decided to study massage, and with this aim she attended lectures on anatomy at the University of Melbourne, being one of the first honoraries appointed to Melbourne Hospital (1899). She later established herself in private practice in Collins St, which she ran successfully for over twenty years. She remained unmarried. Eliza McAuley died at Healsville, Victoria.

MacAvoy, Margaret â (1800 â 1820)

British blind needlewoman

Margaret MacAvoy was born at Liverpool. Trained as a seamstress and embroiderer, she became totally blind by the age of sixteen, and thereafter learnt to distinguish colours in fabrics by the touch of her fingers. A committee of physicians questioned her at length concerning her abilities, the notes of which have survived.

McAvoy, May - (1900 - 1984)

American actress

May McAvoy was born in New York, the daughter of a stable owner. She left school at an early age and worked as a model and then as an actress in silent films for Paramount Studios before going on to further her career in Hollywood, California. There she worked freelance after refusing to appear scantily dressed in Cecil B. De Mille's film Adam's Rib (1923). Miss MacAvoy's film credits included Lady Windemere's Fan (1925), opposite Ronald Coleman, Ben Hur (1925) with Ramon Navarro, The Jazz Singer (1927) as Al Jolson's leading lady, and The Lion and the Mouse (1928) with Lionel Barrymore. Due to an unfortunate lisp McAvoy's career ended with the advent of sound films (1929). She was married to a theatrical agent from whom she was later divorced. May McAvoy died (April 26, 1984) aged eighty-three, in Los Angeles.

Macbeth, LadyÂ Â Â Â Â Â seeÂ Â Â Â Â Gruoch

Macbeth, Ann â (1875 â 1948)

British embroideress

Ann Macbeth was born at Little Bolton, and studied design at the Gladgow School of Art. Macbeth later joined the staff for two decades (1901 â 1920) and was appointed to head the embroidery department. Ann Macbeth lectured wideley and introduced new teaching methods as well as producing the teaching manual Educational Needlecraft (1911). She produced many commissions for the church and was granted the Lauder Award (1930).

McBride, Katharine Elizabeth â (1904 â 1976)

American educator and psychologist

Katharine McBride served as president of the prestigious Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania for almost three decades (1942 â 1970), during which time she advocated the equality of both sexes and was remebered for her constant promotion of educational excellence. McBride served as chairman of the College Entrance Examination Board (1949 â 1952) and of the Educational Testing Service several terms over a period of almost twenty years (1947 â 1964). She was the author two works in her particular field Aphasia (1935) and Adult Intelligence (1936). Katharine McBride died (June 3, 1976) aged seventy-two, at Bryn Mawr.

McBride, Mary Margaret â (1899 â 1976)

American radio presenter and author of travel books

Mary McBride was born (Nov 16, 1899) in Paris, Missouri, the daughter of a farmer. She attended boarding school before going to study at the University of Missouri She became a reporter with The Evening Mail in New York and wrote articles for such publications as The Saturday Evening Post and Cosmopolitan. She remained unmarried. For two decades (1934 â 1954) McBride hosted an extremely popular talk show program on radio which included stories and recipes, delivered in a popular homespun style. This led to national celebrity when she worked at NBC. There she interviewed many famous people including President Harry S. Truman and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt amongst others. Mary McBride died (April 7, 1976) aged seventy-six, in West Shockun, New York.

MacBride, MaudÂ Â Â seeÂ Â Â Gonne, Maud Edith

McCafferey, Dorothy Kane â (1917 â 1980)

American state official and agricultural commissioner

Dorothy Kane McCafferey was a prominent figure in Connecticut state politics from 1955 onwards. Two decades later McCafferey was named as executive assistant to the State Labour Commissioner (1975). She then served as deputy commissioner of Agriculture and died in office (Sept 11, 1980) aged sixty-three.

McCall, SidneyÂ Â Â seeÂ Â Fenellosa, Mary McNeil

McCalla, Margaret â (fl. 1861 â 1865)

Southern American diarist

Margaret McCalla was a native of Tennessee. During the Civil War, her husband was serving with the Confederate army, and Margaret was forced to refugee to South Carolina for safety from the invading Union army (1863). The modern work The Wartime Experiences of Margaret McCalla: Confederate Refugee from East Tennessee (1965) was compiled from the surviving letters written to her husband after she had been forced to flee from their home.

McCardell, Claire â (1905 â 1958)Â

American fashion designer

Claire McCardell was the daughter of Senator Adrian Leroy McCardell. She created the first âseperatesâ in womenâs fashion, which quickly became a classic, and designed the leotard or âbody suitâ which became, and remained, immensley popular with women. During the 1940âs she was awarded the American Fashion critics Award and the Neiman-Marcus Award for best international designe, in all fields. She was the author of, What Shall I Wear? (1956). Claire McCardell died of cancer (March 22, 1958) aged fifty-two, in New York City.

McCarthy, Dame Emma Maud â (1858 â 1949)

British military nurse

Emma Maud McCarthy was born (Sept 22, 1858) in Sydney, Australia, the daughter of a solicitor. Educated in Australia, she later went to London and trained as a nurse at the London Hospital. She among the six volunteers chosen by the Princess of Wales (Alexandra) to form her own nursing service, which she equipped to send to help the troops engaged in the Boer War in South Africa. On her return to England, McCarthy founded the Queen Alexandra Imperial Military Nursing Service (later renamed Queen Alexandraâs Royal Army Nursing Corps). McCarthy was appointed as principal matron at the War Office (1910) and during WW I she served in France with the troops as matron-in-chief. After the war she served as matron-in-chief of the Territorial Army Service (1920 â 1925). For her valuable war service she was awarded the DBE (Dame Commander of the British Empire) by King George V (1918) and then received the Florence Nightingale Medal (1919). Dame Emma Maud McCarthy died (April 1, 1949) aged ninety, in Chelsea.

McCarthy, Lillah Emma â (1875 â 1960)

British actress stage actress and writer

Born Lila Emma McCarthy at Cheltenham, she was the daughter of an Irish furniture dealer. She studied under her father who was a fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, and but received music and voice training in London under Hermann Vezin and Emil Behnke. McCarthy made her first stage appearance in London (1895) annd then toured as a Shakespearean actress with the company of Sir P. Ben Greet, and played the role of Berenice in The Sign of the Cross at the Lyric Theatre (1896). She toured for eight years partnered by actor Wilson Barrett, appearing in Virginius, Othello, and Hamlet, and then worked with Herbert Beerbohm Tree. Tall and statuesque, she later married (1906) the theatrical producer Harley Granville-Barker, and the role of Jennifer Dubedat in The Doctorâs Dilemma was created especially for her, and had a gift for the interpretation of tragedy.

Lillah McCarthy herself created the role of Lady Sibyl in Barrieâs play What Every Woman Knows (1908) and achieved success in the role of Anne Pedersdotter in The Witch (1911) which had been adapted from the Norwegian writer H. Wiers-Jenssen. With her husband she managed the Savoy Theatre but the couple finally divorced (1918) and she remarried (1920) to Sir Frederick Keeble (1870 â 1952). Miss McCarthy appeared in a few roles, notably as Joanne in The Wandering Jew (1920) by Temple Thurston and as Dona Sol in Blood and Sand (1921) by Tom Cushing. McCarthy continued to appear on stage periodically thoughout the 1930âs and wrote her autobiography entitled Myself and My Friends (1933). Lillah McCarthy died (April 15, 1960) aged eighty-four, in London.

McCarthy, Mary Therese â (1912 â 1989)Â

American novelist and critic

Mary McCarthy was born (June 21, 1912) in Seattle, Washington, and was educated in a convent, and graduated from Vassar College, New York (1913). Her parents perished during the great influenza epidemic (1918). Mary was especially remembered for her acerbic observations of middle class society, and was editor and theatre critic for the Partisan Review (1937 â 1948). Mary McCarthyâs first husband was the actor Harold Johnsrud, who died tragically in a fire, and her second (1938) was the critic Edmund Wilson, who encouraged her in her literary efforts. This marriage ended in divorce, and she remarried thirdly (1948) to Bowden Bowater, from whom she was also divorced (1961), and fourthly James West. Her works included The Groves of Academe (1952) and The Group (1963) which topped the best-seller list but was best known for her novel The Company She Keeps (1942). Her later works included Birds of America (1971). Mary McCarthy was also the author of a work which denounced the USAâs involvement in the Vietnam War, Vietnam and Hanoi (1968) and wrote two volumes of autobiography Memories of a Catholic Childhood (1957) and Cannibals and Missionaries (1979). Mary McCarthy died (Oct 25, 1989) aged seventy-seven.

MacCarthy, Mary Warre-Cornish, Lady (Molly) â (1882 â 1953)

British writer

Mary Warre-Cornish was the daughter of the vice-provost of Eton College, and became the wife (1906) of Sir Desmond McCarthy (1877 â 1952), the noted literary critic. She bore him two sons and a daughter Rachel, who became the wife (1932) of Lord David Cecil. Lady McCarthy was the author of A Pier and a Band (1918), and the volume of personal recollections entitled A Nineteenth-Century Childhood (1924).

McCartney, Linda - (1941 - 1998)

American-Anglo photographer and vocalist

Linda Louise Eastman was born (Sept 24, 1941) in New York, the daughter of a wealthy Jewish attorney, and was raised in Scarsdale in Westchester. She trained as a photographer and was captivated by the rock and roll scene in New York. Her subjects included such figures as Jimi Hendrix, The Who, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin and The Doors. Whilst in England researching for her book Rock and Other Four Letter Words, Eastman met Paul McCartney, singer for The Beatles, and became his second wife in London (1969). She bore McCartney four children including the fashion designer Stella McCartney. Linda McCartney possessed keen amateur musical and vocal skills, and her husband taught her the keyboard. This resulted in her joining the new group Wings in the 1970's, which went on to have successful hits like ' Mull o' Kintyre,' and received several Grammy awards. Her own album entitled Wide Prairie (1998) was released posthumously. Linda McCartney died of breast cancer (April 17, 1998) aged fifty-six, in Tucson, Arizona. A passionate campaigner for the rights of animals, husband later made a two million dollar donation to the cancer facility in Tucson which had treated her, through the Garland Appeal, on the condition that no animals would be used for testing. The Linda McCartney Centre cancer clinic was established at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital in England (2000).

McCauley, Mary Ludwig Hays â (1754 â 1832)

American Revolutionary war heroine

Born Mary Ludwig near Trenton in New Jersey, she was married firstly to John Hays, and secondly to George McCauley. Her first husband served with the 7th Pennsylvania Regiment during the war with England. During the battle of Monmouth (1778), she carried water for the benefit of the soldiers. According to another tradition, when Hays collapsed of exhaustion, Mary took his place and operated the cannon. Because of this bravery she was later granted a government pernsion (1822).

Maccetta, Blanche â (1858 â 1898)

French writer

Born Blanche Roosevelt, she was the biographer of the famous French painter and illustrator Gustave Dore (1832 â 1883).

Macclesfield, Anna Mason, Countess ofÂ Â Â Â see Â Â Â Brett, Anna

McClatchey, Minerva Leah Rowles â (fl. 1861 â 1865)

Southern American diarist

Minerva McClatchey was the wife of a northwestern Georgian plantation owner. Her personal diary published as A Georgia Womanâs Civil War Diary: The Journal of Minverva Leah Rowles McClatchey, 1864 â 1865 (1967), described plantation life during the last years of the Confederacy.

McClatchy, Eleanor Grace â (1895 â 1980)

American businesswoman

Eleanor McClatchey was the daughter of newspaper president C.K. McClatchy, owner of the Bee newspapers in California, which had been founded by her paternal grandfather, James McClatchy in Sacramento (1857). Eleanor never married, and from her fatherâs death (1936), she served the company as president, attaining great power within the newspaper industry in California, though she went to great lengths to avoid publicity. She later become chairman (1978), and was succeeded in that position by her nephew. Eleanor McClatchy died (Oct 17, 1980) aged eighty-five, in Sacramento, California.

McClintock, Barbara â (1902 â 1992)

American geneticist

Barbara McClintock was born in Hartford, Connecticut, and graduated in botany from Cornell University (1927). She later held positions at the University of Missouri (1936 â 1941) and Cold Harbour, Long Island, where she remained over five decades with the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (1941 â 1992). McClintockâs research revealed that changes in the chromosomes of maize resulted in physical changes in the corn kernels, which proved the chromosome theory of heredity. In the 1940âs she discovered the âcontrolling elements âin genes and presented her work at a Cold Harbour symposium (1951). However, the true significance of her discoveries was not appreciated for another two decades. A symposium later acknowledged the value of her research (1976) and introduced the term âtransposonâ to describe her âcontrolling elements.â Barbara McClintock was awarded the National Medal of Science (1970), the Columbia University Horwitz Prize (1982), and the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine (1983). Barbara McClintock died (Sept 2, 1992) at Long Island, New York.

McClung, Nellie Letitia â (1873 â 1951)

Canadian suffragist and writer

Born Nellie Mooney in Chatsworth, Ontario, she was educated in Manitoba. She was married (1896) and bore five children.McClung is best remembered for the highly sentimental childrenâs novel, Sowing Seeds in Danny (1908), about the life of a child in Manitoba, who goes into domestic service in order to repay debts incurred by her father. She wrote short stories which dealt with the contemporary social issues of womenâs suffrage and prohibition, and two other novels The Second Chance (1910) and Purple Springs (1921). Nellie McClung rose to become a prominent member of the Womenâs Christian Temperance Union, and later entered politics in Alberta. She was elected to the Alberta Legislative Assembly (1921), but was defeated when she attempted to liberalize the stateâs divorce laws.

McCollum, Vashti - (1912 - 2006)

American atheist activist

Vashti Ruth Cromwell was the daughter of an architect, and was named for the historical Persian queen Vashti, wife of Xerxes I (486 - 465 BC). She was raised in an atheistic household, and later attended the University of Illinois, where she studied law and political science. Vashti became the wife (1933) of the academic John McCollum, to whom she bore three sons. When her eldest son was attending school Mrs McCollum became involved in a famous lawsuit to prevent religious instruction on school property. She lost her case in two Illinois courts, but these rulings were overturned by the US Supreme Court which ruled that church and state should remain forever seperate in the public education system (1948). Mrs McCollum published the book One Woman's Fight, and later served as the president of the American Humanist Association. Vashti McCollum died aged ninety-three.

McCord, Louisa Susanna Cheves â (1810 â 1879)

American author and poet

Louisa Cheeves was born in Charleston, South Carolina (Dec 3, 1810), the daughter of Langdon Cheves, and his wife Mary Elizabeth Dulles. Educated at home and at school in Philadelphia, she had also studied mathematics and languages under the guidance of tutors employed to teach her brothers. She married (1840) a prominent lawyer, David James McCord. Fervently believing that the Negro population was being civilized by its slave connection with the white Christian society she published an English translation (1848) of Sophismes Economiques by Frederic Bastiat, which work had influenced and confirmed her own personal views on the subject. Louise also contributed political essays to the Southern Quarterly Review (1853) and produced My Dreams (1848), a volume of poetry, and a blank verse drama Gaius Gracchus, A Tragedy (1851). Widowed before the Civil War, Louisa McCord eventually settled in Columbia, South Carolina, after returning from Europe. Active in relief work during the Civil War, which claimed the life of her son Langdon McCord, an officer, at the second Battle of Bull Run, 1862 (Manassas), Louisa devoted herself to nursing the wounded. Louisa Cheves McCord died (Nov 23, 1879) aged sixty-eight, in Charleston, South Carolina, and was interred there.

McCormick, Anne Elizabeth OâHare â (1880 â 1954)

American journalist and writer

Anne OâHare was born at Wakefield in Yorkshire, England. Her family immigrated to the USA during her early childhood, and was raised in Columbus, Ohio. She was married (1910) to Francis McCormick, and engineer. McCormick wrote articles for such publications as Catholic World and the New York Times Magazine, and became the first woman to serve on the editorial board of the New York Times. She wrote a series of articles concerning Europe for the Ladiesâ Home Journal (1933 â 1934) and became the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for foreign correspondence (1937). Anne McCormick was awarded the Medal of the National Institute of Social Science (1942), and the Laetare Medal of the University of Notre Dame (1944). McCormick wrote The Hammer and the Scythe: Communist Russia Enters the Second Decade (1928), and served as delegate to several UNESCO conferences, (1946) and (1948). Anne OâHare McCormick died (May 29, 1954) aged seventy-four, in New York City.

McCormick, Elizabeth â (1892 â 1905)

American notable

Elizabeth McCormick was the only child of Cyrus Hall McCormick of Chicago, Illinois and his wife Harriet Bradley Woodbury. Elizabeth died aged twelve and her death caused her mother to become interested in civic philanthropy. Her parents established the Elizabeth McCormick Memorial Fund (1908) in Chicago which aimed to improve the social conditions for children.

McCormick, Harriet Bradley Hammond Woodbury â (1862 â 1921)

Anglo-American philanthropist

Harriet Woodbury was born (Dec 21, 1862) in Monmouthshire, England, the daughter of Captain George Woodbury. She became the wife of Cyrus Hall McCormick of Chicago, Illinois. The death of their daughter Elizabeth McCormick (1905) caused Mrs McCormick to become interested in civic philanthropy and she campaigned to improve the conditions of American children. To this end she and her husband established the Elizabeth McCormick Memorial Fund in Chicago (1908). Mrs McCormick died (Jan 17, 1921) aged fifty-eight in Chicago.

McCormick, Katharine Dexter â (1875 â 1967)

American philanthropist

Katharine Dexter was born in Dexter, Michigan, the daughter of a corporate lawyer. She graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (1904), and was married in Switzerland to Stanley McCormick (1904). Her husband was later declared legally incompetent due to mental illness (1909). They remained childless, and he survived under the care of physicians until his death (1947). Katharine McCormick conducted a long quest to try to find a cure for her husbandâs schizophrenic condition, which she believed could be traced to hormonal deficiencies. This led her to establish the Neuroendocrine Research Foundation at the Harvard Medical School (1927 â 1947). She also paid the costs of publishing the medical journal Endocrinology. McCormick also involved herself in the causes of female suffrage and the birth control campaigns, led by Margaret Sanger. Her association with the noted biologist Gregory Pincus led to the development of âthe pillâ a combination of progesterone and estrogen, which was first marketed under the name Enovid (1960). McCormick made considerable endowments at her old alma mater, MIT, and paid for the construction of Stanley McCormick Hall West (1962) and East (1968), which provided accomodation for almost three hundred and fifty new female students. Katharine McCormick died (Dec 28, 1967) aged ninety-two, at Boston, Massachusetts.

McCoy, Gertrude â (1890 â 1967)

American film actress

Gertrude McCoy was born (June 30, 1890) in Sugar Valley, Georgia. Her silent movie credits included Was She Guilty? (1922), Heartstrings (1923), and Nelson (1926). Gertrude McCoy died (July 17, 1967) aged seventy-seven, in Atlanta.

McCracken, Esther Helen â (1902 â 1971)

British actress and dramatist

Born Esther Armstrong in Newcastle-uon-Tyne, and was married firstly to Lt-Col. Angus McCracken, who was killed in action during WW II (1943), and secondly (1944) to Mungo Campbell. McCracken was a member of the Newcastle Repertory Company (1924 â 1937) and wrote her first play The Willing Spirit, which was produced for the stage (1936). However, she was best remembered for the domestic comedy Quiet Wedding (1938). This was followed by Quiet Weekend (1941) and No Medals (1944).

McCrae, Georgiana Huntley â (1804 â 1890)

Anglo-Australian painter and diarist

Georgiana Huntley was born in London the illegitimate daughter of George, fifth Duke of Gordon, and his mistress Jane Graham (1772 â 1838). Raised in one of her fatherâs Scottish castles, she studied art in London and established a reputation for herself in Edinburgh as a gifted and talented portrait painter during the 1820âs. Her public painting career ended with her marriage to Andrew McCrae (1800 â 1874), to whom she bore nine children. With her husband and family she travelled to London, and then sailed to Australia, where McCrae pursued his career as a lawyer and magistrate on the goldfields. Her private journals, written in Melbourne, Victoria from the 1840âs, were edited by her grandson, Hugh McCrae as Georgianaâs Journal, Melbourne, 1841 â 1865 (1966). Georgiana Huntley McCrae died (May 24, 1890) aged eighty-six, in Melbourne.

McCullers, Carson â (1917 â 1967)

American novelist

Born Lula Carson Smith (Feb 19, 1917) in Columbus, Ohio, she was educated there and later attended both Columbia University on New York and New York University. She was married (1937) to Reeves McCullers, the couple divorcing and remarrying before finally divorcing for good (1948). Carson McCullers sufferred ill-health frm childhood, and was debititated and partially paralysed by several strokes, sufferred before the age of thirty. Her first novel The Heart is a Lonely Hunter (1940) set in the south, established her reputation as a serious author, and her factual portrayal of black people in her work attracted the favourable notice of the famous Negro novelist Richard Wright. Most of her work was produced during the war years, and, togrther with fellow writers Truman Capote, Tennessee Williams, and William Faulkner, McCullers is credited as the originator of the âsouthern Gothicâ style of novel. Other works include Reflections in a Golden Eye (1941), later filmed (1967) with Elizabeth Taylor, Marlon Brando, and Julie Harris, the play The Member of the Wedding (1946), which was staged (1950), then filmed with Julie Harris as the female lead (1952), The Ballad of the Sad CafÃ© (1951) which was later adapted for Broadway by Edward Albee, and Clock Without Hands (1961). Carson McCullers died (Sept 29, 1967) aged fifty, in New York.

McDaniel, Hattie â (1895 â 1952)Â

Black American actress and vocalist

Hattie McDaniel as born in Wichita, Kansas, and began her career performing in vaudeville with her father. She was sister to actors Etta McDaniel (1890 â 1946) and Sam McDaniel (1896 â 1962). Hattie also sang on stage, and eventually formed her own band. She appeared in the film Show Boat (1936), and was the first black actor to win an Oscar for her performance as Mammy, with Viven Leigh and Clark Gable in Gone With the Wind (1939). Despite her success, McDaniel sufferred some criticism because she had played such a stereotypical black role, but she always retained an extremely practical approach concerning her acting career. Other film credits included Zenobia (1939), The Great Lie (1941), They Died With Their Boots On (1941), Since You Went Away (1944), Song of the South (1946) and Family Honeymoon (1948). McDaniel also made an early appearance in television in the series Beulah (1952). Hattie McDaniel died of cancer (Oct 26, 1952) aged fifty-seven, in Los Angeles, California.

McDevitt, Ruth â (1895 â 1976)

American character actress

Born Ruth Shoecraft in Coldwater, Michigan, she often appeared in engaging character roles in films such as The Parent Trap (1962) and the Alfred Hitchcock thriller The Birds (1963) with Tippi Hedren, Robert Taylor and Jessica Tandy, The Out of Towners (1969) and Change of Habit (1972). Ruth McDevitt also worked in telelvison and appeared in the series Pistolsânâ Petticoats (1966 â 1967), but was perhaps best known as the kindly âMiss Emilyâ in the Kolchak Night Stalker (1974 â 1975) series with Darren McGavin. Ruth McDevitt died (May 27, 1976) aged eighty, in Hollywood.

McDonald, Agnes â (1829 â 1906)

New Zealand nurse

Agnes Carmont was born at Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, the daughter of John Carmont and his wife Elizabeth Caven. Receiving medical training in her youth from her uncle in Glasgow, she was engaged as a companion to Mrs Clifford, of Flaxbourne, Marlborough, in New Zealand (1850). She was married (1854) to Hector McDonald, a whale trader and farmer, to whom she bore ten children. The couple managed a cattle and sheep station near Poroutawhao and the Ohau River, and for over a decade also managed a coach accomodation house and stables for travellers between Wanganui and Wellington. McDonald used her medical knowledge for the benefit of the local Maori population, notably during the influenza epidemics which devastated the region throughout the 1860âs, when she was credited with using iodine as an effective treatment for scrofula. Widowed in 1878, she later succeeded her son Hector Hugh McDonald as postmaster at Horowhenua (1883 â 1894). Agnes McDonald died (Nov 28, 1906) aged seventy-seven, at Opaki, near Masterton.

MacDonald, Anne Thompson â (1897 â 1993)

American activist for the blind

Anne MacDonald founded the Recording for the Blind organization (1948) which produced almost one hundred thousand books on tape for the benefit of the blind or students with learning disabilities, which was based in Princeton, New Jersey. She became president of the organization (1952) and was awarded an honorary doctorate (1988) from Yale University because of her impressive voluntary work. Anne MacDonald died (Oct 3, 1993) aged ninety-six, in Huntingdon, Long Island.

McDonald, Cornelia Peake â (1822 â 1909)

Southern American diarist

Cornelia Peake was born in Alexandria, Virginia, the daughter of Humphrey Peake, a wealthy plantation owner, and his wife Anne Linton Lane. She resided in Palmyra and Hannibal, prior to her marriage (1847) with Angus McDonald, a lawyer from Winchester in Virginia. Her husband left to join the Stonewall Brigade (1862), and Cornelia kept a diary to which she added reminiscences of the Civil War (March, 1862 â Aug, 1863), which she penned for her absent husband. Her private journal, with her own recollections, was later published in Nashville, Tennessee as A Diary with Reminiscences of the War and Refugee Life in the Shenandoah Valley, 1860 â 1865 (1934). Cornelia Peake died (March 11, 1909) aged eighty-four, at Louisville, Virginia.

MacDonald, Edith Marie BlossomÂ Â seeÂ Â Rock, Blossom

MacDonald, Elizabeth â (1894 â 1992)Â

American inventor

Elizabeth was the wife of Glenn MacDonald. Elizabeth MacDonald invented the powedered household cleanser, âSpic & Spanâ during the Depression years, which was manufactured at Saginaw, in Michigan, and which grew to become a large-scale household cleansing agent. In 1945 the business was sold to the Proctor & Gamble Company. After her retirement (1978) she resided in Florida. Elizabeth McDonald died (May 11, 1992) aged ninety-nine, at Dunedin.

MacDonald, Flora â (1722 â 1790)

Scottish Jacobite heroine

Flora MacDonald was the daughter of Ranald Macdonald, a farmer of Milton, on the island of South Uist, in the Hebrides. Her father died during her infancy, and in 1735 she was formally adopted by Lady Clanranald, wife of the clan chief. Flora was residing at Benbecula in the Hebrides, when her assistance was sought by Prince Charles Edward Stuart (âBonnie Prince Charlieâ), who had taken refuge there with his companion, Captain OâNeill, after the disastrous Battle of Culloden, which spelt the final defeat of Jacobite Rising of 1745. Agreeing to help, Flora managed to obtain a pass to the mainland for herself, one manservant, an Irish maid Betty Burke, and the boatâs crew of six men, with Prince Charles in disguise as Betty Burke. The party eventually landed at Portree and escaped to safety. However, popular gossip initiated by the boatmen hired for the enterprise brought suspicion upon Flora, and she was eventually arrested, spending some time in captivity aboard the troopships in Leith Roads, before being sent under guard to London, and imprisoned in the Tower there.

Her conditions were soon alleviated, and she was permitted to live outside the Tower under the guard of a gaoler. With the passing of the Act of Indemnity (1747) she was finally released. Flora married (1750) Allan Macdonald of Kingsburgh, on the island of Skye. It was there that Flora famously received Dr Samuel Johnson (1773). Very soon after this Flora and her husband finally immigrated to North Carolina, in America. Allan Macdonald served the British government there during the War of Independence, attaining the rank of a brigadier-general. He was taken prisoner and Flora returned to Scotland home to (1779). Her husband eventually attained his freedom and joined her there (1781). Flora Macdonald died (March 5, 1790) aged sixty-seven, at Kingsburgh.

MacDonald, Frances â (1873 â 1921)

Scottish painter and designer

Frances MacDonald was born in Glasgow. Together with her husband, Herbert McNair (1868 â 1955), her sister Margaret Mackintosh, and her brother-in-law, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, Frances was one of the famous Glasgow âGroup of Fourâ artists, considered internationally to be the leading authorities of Art Noveau style. MacDonaldâs own personal style utilized strong poetic themes, susually set in symbolic backgrounds.

Macdonald, Isabella Alden â (1841 â 1930)

American author and socialite

Born (Nov 3, 1841) in Rochester, New York Mrs Isabella Macdonald was the author of the novel Helen Lester (1866). Her personal recollections entitled Memories of Yesterday (1931) were published posthumously. Isabella Macdonald died (Aug 5, 1930) aged eighty-eight, at Paolo Alto in California.

MacDonald, Jeanette â (1903 â 1965)

American colotura soprano, concert vocalist and film actress

Born Jeanette Anna MacDonald (June 18, 1903) in Philadelphia, the daughter of a building contractor, she was the younger sister of actress Blossom Rock (Edith Macdonald). Macdonald was famous for her film partnership with Nelson Eddy (1901 â 1967) with whom she sang with in movies such as Naughty Marietta (1935) in which she played a French princess, Rose Marie (1936), Maytime (1937), The Girl of the Golden West (1938) and Sweethearts (1939). Jeanette MacDonaldâs talent was discovered by Ernst Lubisch, and her first film role was in The Love Parade (1929) with Maurice Chevalier. She appeared as the soprano Mary Blake in San Francisco (1936), opposite Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy She was married (1937 â 1965) to the actor Gene Raymond (1908 â 1998). Her career slowed with the beginning of WW II though she travelled to entertain the troops. She returned to the stage (1943) and performed in operetta. Her later film credits included Love Me Tonight (1932), The Merry Widow (1934), Broadway Serenade (1939), Cairo (1942) and The Sun Comes Up (1949). Jeanette MacDonald died (Jan 14, 1965) aged sixty-one.

Macdonald, June Elizabeth Gostwycke â (1864 â 1922)Â

Canadian poet and writer

June Macdonald was sister to the poet Charles G.D. Roberts. Educated in Fredericton and at the University of New Brunswick, she was later employed as a teacher at the School for the Blind in Halifax (1891). Late in life she was married to a cousin, but the match proved uncongenial, and she left him and returned to reside in Ottawa (1915). She left two collections of verse Poems (1885) and Northland Lyrics (1899).

Macdonald, Louisa Sophia â (1826 â 1857)

Anglo-Indian Sepoy rebellion victim

Louisa was the wife of Captain Donald Macdonald (1821 â 1857) of the 20th Regiment which was stationed at Meerut. With the eruption of the Indian mutiny there Captain Macdonald was murdered by his own troops (May 10, 1857). Mrs Macdonald disguised herself as an Indian woman and sought to escape the burning cantonment with her three small children. Her disguise was discovered and a crowd quickly collected. Louisa Macdonald was cut down and murdered by the mob, but during the confusion faithful servants managed to save the children and took them to safety. A memorial to Louisa and her husband remains in the Church of St John in Meerut.

MacDonald, MargaretÂ Â Â Â see also Â Â Â Â Mackintosh, Margaret

MacDonald, Margaret - (1904 - 1993)

British courtier

Margaret MacDonald was born in Scotland, the daughter of a farmer. she was employed as an underburse in the household of the Duke and Duchess of York (later George VI and Queen Elizabeth). She was very close to their daughters Elizabeth (II) and Margaret, and was affectionately known as ' Bobo.' Miss MacDonald remained unmarried and devoted her life to serving Princess Elizabeth, and accompanied her and Prince Philip on their honeymoon (1947). When her charge became queen (1953) MacDonald became her personal dresser, organizing the queen's wardrobe and jewels. She always retained the affection of the royal family and was the only person outside the family to be permitted to address the queen by her childhood nickname ' Lilibet.' Margaret MacDonald died (Sept 22, 1993) aged eighty-nine, at Buckingham Palace in London.

MacDonald, Dame MargaretÂ Â Â Â seeÂ Â Â Kidd, Dame Margaret Henderson

MacDonald, Margaret Ethel â (1870 â 1911)

British Labour pioneer

Margaret Ethel Gladstone was the daughter of John Hall Gladstone. She was educated privately at home and later attended Doreck College and Kingâs College, London. She was early influenced by the work of William Gladstone, but later became a member of the Independent Labour Party. Margaret Gladstone was married (1896) to the future politician Ramsay MacDonald (1866 â 1937), to whom she bore six children. With the foundation of the Labour Representative Committee (1900), which became the new Labour Party, Margaret MacDonald was appointed to chair the Womenâs Labour League (1906).

McDonald, Marie â (1923 â 1965)

American actress and vocalist

Born Cora Marie Frye, in Burgin, Kentucky, she began her career as a model, then became a showgirl and a band singer, before finally becoming a Hollywood starlet in the early 1940âs, appearing in such films as It Started With Eve (1941), Standing Room Only (1944) and Tell It to the Judge (1949). Though her beauty earned her the popular appellation âthe Bodyâ her seven marriages maintained the notorious gossip concerning her private life, and her career never excelled. Her last two appearances in The Geisha Boy (1958) and Promises!, Promises (1963) were no more memorable. Marie MacDonald committed suicide, aged only forty-two.

Macdonald of Earnscliffe, Agnes Bernard, Lady â (1836 â 1920)

British diplomatic figure and peeress

Susan Agnes Bernard was born (Aug 24, 1836) in Jamaica, the daughter of a prominent official. She resided in England before living in Canada with her mother. She became the second wife (1867) of Sir John Alexander Macdonald (1815 â 1891), who served twice as Prime Minister of Canada (1867 â 1873) and (1878 â 1891) and proved an admirable political and social wife, and wrote articles which were published in various magazines and newspapers. The couple had on only daughter who died unmarried. With the death of her husband Lady Macdonald was created a peeress in her own right as Baroness Macdonald of Earnscliffe in Ontario (1891) by Queen Victoria, in recognition of the public service given by her late husband. She went to live in England in 1896. Lady Macdonald died (Sept 5, 1920) aged eighty-four at Ottawa.

MacDougall, Coline Helen Elizabeth â (1904 â 1990)

Scottish noblewoman and clan chief

Coline MacDougall was born (Aug 17, 1904) the daughter of Colonel Alexander MacDougall of MacDougall, the twenty-ninth chief of the Clan MacDougall and his wife Colina Edith MacDougall. She attended St Jamesâs School in west Malvern and served as a second officer with the WRNS (Womenâs Royal Naval Service) during WW II (1941 â 1946). Coline was married (1949) to Leslie Grahame-Thomson, a member of the Royal Scottish Academy, but there were no children of the marriage. At her fatherâs death (1953) Mrs Grahame-Thomson succeeded his as the thirtieth Chief of the Clan MacDougall (1953 â 1990) and was known as Madam MacDougall of MacDougall. She and her husband then assumed the surname of MacDougall. Madam MacDougall resided at the family estate of Dunollie Castle at Oban in Argyllshire. She was widowed in 1974 and died (May 5, 1990).

MacDougall, Rella Gammon â (1906 â 1997)

American designer

Born Rella Gammon in Iowa, she was the daughter of an engineer. She attended Lindenwood College in St Charles, Missouri and worked as an assistant in an auto upholstery factory. She was married (1941) to Alan MacDougall (died 1971) and became a successful society hostess. Rella MacDougall established her own interior design organization MacDougall and Company with a friend, and then ran the company for twenty-five years (1965 â 1990). Mrs MacDougall used her interior design talents to raise funds for the Kips Bay Boys and the Girls Club Decorator Show House of which she was chairwoman. Rella MacDougall died (Nov 26, 1997) aged ninety-one, in Manhattan, New York.

MacDuff, Isabella â (c1281 â 1314)

Scottish political figure and heroine

Lady Isabella Macduff was the daughter of Duncan Macduff, earl of Fife and his wife Joan, daughter of Gilbert de Clare, earl of Gloucester. She was married (1297) to John Comyn, seventh earl of Buchan (1259 â 1308). Little is known of her apart from her brief foray into Scottish politics. Robert the Bruce became king of Scotland in defiance of Edward I of England (1305) whose cause was championed by Isabellaâs own husband. The countess however, strongly adhered to the Scottish cause of the Bruce. Her family, the house of Macduff, had long claimed the right to crown the Scottish kings as an hereditary privilege, but Isabellaâs brother, the earl of Fife, head of the clan, was absent in England, and her husband was Robert the Bruceâs bitter enemy. The countess stole away from her husbandâs castle and hurried, with the best horse in his stables, to Scone, where she arrived just in time to place the crown on Bruceâs head, as the nearest available representative of the Macduff family. In 1306 she entered the household of the new queen, Elizabeth de Burgh, but was captured by the English soon afterwards. Edward caused the countess to be closely confined within a latticed cage in the turret of Berwick Castle. Lord Buchan was defeated and killed at the battle of Inverary on the Don River (1308). Lady Buchan was kept at Berwick until Edward II ordered that she be released for a milder custody within a religious house in the town (1310). She was finally released (1313) to the custody of Henry de Beaumont, nephew to her late husband, but died soon afterwards (before Aug, 1314), perhaps from the rigours of her years of imprisonment.

Macedonia â (fl. c520 â c530)

Greek patrician

Macedonia died aged twelve, and became the subject of verses preserved in the Anthologia Graeca, written by Paul the Silentiary, which recorded the grief of her sorrowing parents. Macedonia has been identified as the daughter of Paul himself, but this supposition remains unsupported by historical fact. Macedonia may have been the daughter of the poet Macedonius, who was an honorary consul, and who perhaps held Imperial office (c528 â 531).

McElheney, Jane â (1836 â 1874)

American actress and writer

Jane McElheney was born in Charleston, South Carolina. Her stage career was highly successful, and she received the popular epithet of âThe Queen of Bohemia.â She wote the novel Only a Womanâs Heart (1866) using the pseudonym âAda Clare.â Jane McElheney died (March 4, 1874) aged thirty-seven.

MacEwan, Gwendolyn â (1941 â 1987)

Canadian poet and author

Gwendolyn MacEwan was born in Toronto, Ontario, and was determined on a literary career from her school years. She quickly produced two pamphlets of verse The Drunken Clock and Selah (both 1961) which were followed by other collections of poems including A Breakfast for Barbarians (1966), The Armies of the Moon (1972), Magic Animals (1974), The T.E. Lawrence Poems and Earthlight (both 1982). MacEwan was awarded the Governor-generalâs Award for Poetry for her work The Shadow-Maker (1969), and also for Afterworlds (1987) which was awarded posthumously. Her lifetime fascination with the âgrey areaâ between phantasy and reality is reflected in her poetry. She published two novels Julian the Magician (1963) and King of Egypt, King of Dreams (1971), and two collections of short stories Noman (1972) and Nomanâs Land (1985). She adapted the Greek tragedy The Trojan Women by Euripides, for the modern stage (1978) and later published the translation (1981).

McFall, Frances ElizabethÂ Â Â seeÂ Â Â Grand, Sarah

MacFie, LucyÂ Â Â seeÂ Â Rothes, Lucy Noel Martha, Countess of

MacGibbon, Harriet â (1905 â 1987)

American stage, television and film actress

Harriet MacGibbon was born in Chicago, Illinois the daughter of a physician. She spent many years working in the theatre in New York, both as a talented and versatile actress and vocalist, andÂ as an accomplished musician, specialising with the piano and harp. MacGibbon entered television at its inception appearing in many popular shows such as the Armstrong Circle Theatre (1950), Hennessey (1959 â 1960), Dr Kildare (1962), Ben Casey (1964), Bewitched (1969) with Elizabeth Montgomery, The Mod Squad (1969), The Doris Day Show (1972) and Love, American Style (1971). Her talents on television were mainly confined to portrayals of snobbish, upper class ladies, and she is best remembered in the role of Margaret Drysdale in the ever popular series The Beverly Hillbillies (1962 â 1969) with Buddy Ebsen and Irene Ryan. Her last appearances were in the television movies Wacky Zoo of Morgan City (1970), The Judge and Jake Wyler (1972) and The Best Place to Be (1979). Harriet MacGibbon died (Feb 8, 1987) aged eighty-one, in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California.

McGill, Helen â (1871 â 1947)

Canadian feminist and author

Helen McGill was born in Hamilton, Ontario, and attended the University of Trinity College, Toronto, before beginning her career as a journalist. Helen travelled to visit Japan and was married to a physician. McGill removed to California where she organized the running of two newspapers with help from her mother, The Searchlight and Society. After the death of her husband (1900) she remained established as a journalist in St Paul, Minnesota, where she became involved in the cause of suffragism. After her second marriage (1902) Helen McGill removed to Vancouver, where she established herself as a practising lawyer. Helen McGill served on the juvenile bench in British Columbia for two terms (1917 â 1929) and (1934 â 1945). She was a member of the International Council of Women and the International Association of Women Lawyers.

McGill, Moyna â (1895 â 1975)

Irish film and television actress

Born Charlotte Lillian McIldowie (Dec 10, 1895) in Belfast, she was the daughter of William McIldowie and his wife Cissie Mageean. As Moyna McGill she appeared on the stage before travelling to the USA. There she appeared in several silent films such as Nothing Else Matters (1920), Violet Grimshaw in Garryowen (1920), Should a Doctor Tell ? (1923) and played the title role in Miriam Rozella (1924). Her first husband (1919 â 1924) was the actor and playwright Reginald Denham, to whom she bore a daughter Isolde Denham (born 1921) later the first wife of Peter Ustinov. Her second husband was the film producer Edgar Isaac Lansbury, was the father of their famous actress daughter Angela Lansbury (born 1925) and film producer Bruce Lansbury.

For a period of two decades (1943 â 1964) McGill appeared in nearly two dozen films, appearing with her daughter Angela in The Picture of Dorian Gray (1945) as the duchess. Other credits included The Strange Affair of Uncle Harry (1945), Black Beauty (1946), Three Daring Daughters (1948), the Marchesa Dolce in Private Angelo (1951) and Les Miserables (1952). McGill made uncredited appearances in films such as Jane Eyre (1944), Frenchmanâs Creek (1944), National Velvet (1944), The Unsinkable Molly Brown (1964) and My Fair Lady (1964) with Rex Harrison and Audrey Hepburn, where she appeared as Lady Boxington. Moyna McGill continued with her stage career and appeared opposite such figures as Basil Rathbone, Gerald Du Maurier, John Gielgud and Herbert Marshall. McGill also worked in television and over a decade she appeared in several popular television series such as The Twilight Zone (1962), Mister Ed (1963), Dr Kildare (1963) and My Favorite Martian (1964). Moyna McGill died of cancer (Nov 25, 1975) aged seventy-nine, in Santa Monica, California.

McGinley, Phyllis Louise â (1905 â 1978)

American verse writer

Phyllis McGinley was born in Ontario, Oregon and became the wife of Charles Hayden. McGinley became popular due to her skilful use of light and humorous, entertaining verses. Her early collection included On the Contrary (1934), One More Manhattan (1937), Pocketful of Wry (1940) and Husbands Are Difficult (1941). However, she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for poetry (1961) for her Times Three: Selected Verse from Three Decades (1960). Her work was highly regarded by W.H. Auden (1907 â 1973), and she also wrote books for children such as The Most Wonderful Doll in the World (1950), The Horse Who Had His Picture in the Paper (1951) and The Year Without a Santa Claus (1957).

McGinness, LucyÂ Â Â Â seeÂ Â Â Alngindabu

McGrath, Jane Louise â (1966 â 2008)

Anglo-Australian cancer campaigner

Born Jane Steele (May 4, 1966) in Paighnton, Devon, she worked as an airline attendant with Virgin Atlantic airways prior to her marriage (1999) with the famous Australian cricketer, Glenn McGrath, to whom she bore two children. Having already suffered from beast cancer, Jane McGrath was then diagnosed with bone (2003) and later brain cancer (2006). She established the McGrath Foundation (2002) to support women with breast cancer, and was and was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) by Queen Elizabeth II (2006), for services to the community. As part of the International Womenâs Day celebrations (March 8, 2009) Jane McGrath posthumously received the Special Recognition Award. Jane McGrath died (June 22, 2008) aged forty-two, at Cronulla, Sydney.

MacGregor, Ellen â (1906 â 1954)

American childrenâs writer

Ellen MacGregor was best known for her series of comic sciennce fiction stories which involved the extraordinary and amazing travels of a New England spinster Miss Lavinia Pickerell in Miss Pickerell Goes to Mars (1951) and other stories.

MacGregor, Gylla Constance Susan Rollo, Lady â (1898 â 1980)

British cultural figure

Born Gylla Rollo, she was the younger daughter of Hon. (Honourable) Eric Rollo (1861 â 1930) and his wife Constance Maud Hohler, the daughter of Henry Booth Hohler of Fawkham Manor, Kent. Gylla was married (1925) to Captain Sir Malcolm MacGregor (1873 â 1958) of MacGregor, fifth baronet, to whom she bore two children. Lady MacGregor and her elder sister Torfrida Henrietta Louisa Rollo were granted the rank and precedence as the daughters of a baron by King George VI (1946) after their brother John Eric Henry Rollo (1889 â 1947) succeeded as the twelfth Baron Rollo. Lady MacGregor was a member of the Royal Fine Art Commission for Scotland. She was appointed OBE (Order of the British Empire) (1948) by King George VI and was the recipient of the Swedish Order of Vasa (first class). Lady Gylla MacGregor died (Feb 1, 1980).

MacGregor, Janie â (fl. c1840 â c1880)

Anglo-Australian memoirist

Jane McGregor arrived in New South Wales from England as an immigrant with her husband. They resided on a sheep and cattle station at Clyde Hill where Janieâs husband worked as the overseer. On the station Mrs MacGregor acted as cook for all the employees but was shocked by the language and gambling indulged by the stockmen, and she and her husbanf both flatly refused to work on Sundays. Though initially troubled by interaction with the local Aborigines whom she regarded as shiftless, Mrs MacGregor later regretted that their lives had become blighted by the introduction of European alcohol. Janie MacGregorâs personal recollections of this period in her life were later recorded by her daughter as Report of an Australian life: the life of Janie MacGregor as told to her daughter Mary Jane Brown, and were published in the twentieth century in the work No Place for a Nervous Lady (1984) by Lucy Frost

McGrory, Mary â (1918 â 2004)

American newspaper columnist

Mary McGrory was born (Aug 22, 1918) in Boston, Massachusetts. She began her career as a journalist with the Boston Herald but later moved to The Washington Star (1947), where she was employed as a book reviewer. She covered the McCarthy hearings (1954) and was later awarded the Pulitzer Prize (1975) for her coverage of the infamous Watergate scandal involving President Richard M. Nixon. From 1981 she was affiliated with The Washington Post. Particularly known for her âtake no prisonersâ style of direct reporting, politicians feared her. McGrory retired in 2003 after suffering a stroke. Mary McGrory died (April 21, 2004) aged eighty-five, in Washington, D.C.

McGuire, Judith White Brockenbrough â (1813 â after 1867)

Southern American diarist

Judith Brockenburgh was born in Richmond, Virginia, the daughter of William Brockenbrough, a judge of the Virginia Supreme Court. Judith Brockenbrough became the wife of Reverend John McGuire, principal of the Episcopalian High School, near Alexandria, and had two sons who served with the Confederate army. She kept a diary covering the part of the Civil war period (May, 1861 â May, 1865) which was published anonymously a few years later as the Diary of a Southern Refugee During the War, by a Lady of Virginia (1867).

Machado, Gilka â (1893 â 1980)

Brazilian poet

Gilka Machado was employed by the Rio Railway Company to support her family, but had begun writing poetry during childhood. Her published works included Cristais partidos (Broken Crystals) (1915), A revelacao dos perfumes (A Revelation of Perfumes) (1916), Estado de alma (Condition of the Soul) (1917) and Poesias (1915 â 1917) (Poems) (1918). Machado combined real literary talent with eroticism and her verses were attacked as being immoral by her contemporaries. Later critics recognized the value of her work, and Machado was awarded the prestigious Machado de Assis Prize from the Academia Brasileira de Letras (1979). Some of her later works included Meu glorioso pecado (My Glorious Soul) (1928) and Sublimacao (Sublimation) (1938).

Machecou, Jacqueline â (c1410 â c1460)

French mediaeval businesswoman

Jacqueline was the wife of Arnoulet Machecou, who ran a successful poultry business in Paris. With his death (c1438) Jacqueline administered the business until her death. Apart from this concern Jacqueline operated the âGolden Lionâ cookshop in the Saunerie. She appears in the tax records (1451 â 1453) as Jacquelot la Macherre.

Maches â (fl. c500 â c550)

Welsh solitary and saint

St Maches was the daughter of St Gwynllyw and sister to St Cattwg. She remained unmarried and apparently lived as a solitary in Monmouthshire, providing alms to travellers and those in need. She was murdered by a heathen Saxon who approached her under the guise of begging alms, and then stabbed her to death. She was revered as a martyr and the place of her death was afterwards variously called Merthyr Maches or Llanfaches.

Machiavella, ContessaÂ Â see Â Â Â Bendidio, Lucrezia

Machna of Troppau â (1450 â 1508)

Polish duchess consort of Zator (1482 â 1490)

Princess Machna was the younger daughter of Nikolaus VI (1400 â 1452), Duke of Troppau and Jagerndorf, and his first wife, Margaret Clemm von Elguth. She was sister to Johann IV, Duke of Jagerndorf (1474 â 1483) and of Wenzel V (Wenceslas), Duke of Rynbik and Press (1461 â 1478). Princess Machna was married (1482) when aged over thirty years, to Kasimir (1450 â 1490), Duke of Zator in Silesia, whom she survived for nearly two decades as Dowager Duchess of Zator (1480 â 1508). Their only son Bolko (1489 â 1494) did not succeed his father on the ducal throne and died during childhood. Duchess Machna died (before July 25 in 1508).

McIldowie, Charlotte LillianÂ Â seeÂ Â McGill, Moyna

MacIntosh, Amelia â (1799 â 1857)

Anglo-Indian Sepoy Rebellion victim

Amelia was the wife of Charles MacIntosh (1793 â 1864), a wealthy British merchant of Kanpur in India, and had borne him several children. They had resided in India for some decades, but were placed in immediate danger with the outbreak of the Indian Mutinty in Kanpur. The family decided not to accompany General Wheeler and the other British residents to the safety of the encampment. Mrs MacIntosh who was in frail health was disguised as a native woman and was hidden in the house of her washerwoman, whilst her husband and one of her sons disguised themselves as Indians and hid beneath a bridge. The men were detected and hacked to pieces by sowars, whilst Mrs MacIntosh was also discovered in her hiding place. She was brought before Nana Sahib in Kanpur, and he ordered her to be publicly beheaded. Her body was then placed in a ditch with her head placed on her breast and left there to decompose.

McIntosh, Linda â (1894 â 1982)Â

Australian educator

Linda McIntosh was the daughter of Edwin McIntosh. Graduating from Sydney Kindergarten College, she founded her own pre-school named âDalcrossâ in Pymble, North Sydney. Later she was employed as a teacher at the Methodist Mission Kindergarten in Lautoka in Fiji, and at the Mt Lavinia School for deaf and blind children in Sri Lanka (Ceylon). Upon her return to Australia, Linda was appointed head mistress of the Church of England Girlsâ Colege at orange in New South Wales, before founding and managing her own school âLoch Mareeâ at Vaucluse, Sydney. Her tomb survives at St Johnâs cemetery, Gordon.

McIntosh, Maria Jane â (1803 â 1878)

American author

Maria Jane McIntosh was born in Sunbury, Georgia. She wrote adopting the pseudonym of âAunt Kittyâ producing works such as Blind Alice (1841), Two Lives; or, To Seem and To Be (1846), and Aunt Kittyâs Tales (1847), amongst others. Three of her works were published anonymously Conquest and Self-Conquest (1843), Woman, an Enigma (1843), and Praise and Principle (1845). Maria Jane McIntosh died (Feb 25, 1878) aged seventy-four.

McIntyre, Margaret Edgeworth â (1886 â 1948)

Australian politician

Margaret Edgeworth David was the eldest child of the noted geologist and Antarctic explorer Sir Tannatt William Edgeworth David (1858 â 1934) and his wife Caroline Martha Mallett. She became the wife of W.K. McIntyre, a mining engineer. Mrs McIntyre became the first woman to be elected to the Tasmanian Parliament. She was appointed OBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) by King George VI (1947).

Mack, Amy Eleanor â (1876 â 1939)

Australian naturalist and childrenâs author

Amy Mack was born in Hobart, Tasmania, the daughter of a Wesleyan minister. The younger sister of Louise Hamilton Mack, she was raised in Adelaide, South Australia and in Sydney, New South Wales, where she attended Sydney High School. Her works for children included Bushland Stories for Children (1910), Birdland Stories (1910) and Scribbling Sue and other stories (1913).

Mack, Louise Hamilton â (1874 â 1935)

Australian childrenâs author and journalist

Marie Louise Mack was born in Hobart, Tasmania, the daughter of a clergyman, and was sister to Amy Mack. Her earliest published works drew upon her own childhood experiences for inspiration, and included the trilogy Teens (1897), Girls Together (1898) and Teens Triumphant (1933). Mack later moved to London where she produced the very popular An Australian Girl in London (1902), which was followed by nine novels which included The Red Rose of Summer (1909) and The Music Makers (1914). She spent several years in Florence, Italy, where Mack edited the British language publication, the Italian Gazette (1904 â 1907). During WW I Mack worked as a war correspondent for the London Daily Mail newspaper. Louise Mack remained in Antwerp in Holland throughout the German occupation and wrote A Womanâs Experiences in the Great War (1915).

McKane, KittyÂ Â Â Â seeÂ Â Godfree, Kitty

Mackay, Helen â (1891 â 1965)

Scottish physician, paediatrician and medical researcher

Helen Mackay was born in Inverness, and attended Cheltenham Ladiesâ College in London prior to studying to be a doctor at the London School of Medicine for Women (formerly the Royal Free Hospital). Mackay worked as a researcher in Vienna and at the Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine, and was the Ernest Hart Memorial Research Scholar of the British Medical Association. After working as a paediatrician in Clapton and Hackney, Mackay became the assistant physician to the Infants Hospital in Westminster, and was later appointed as the resident physician and assistant pathologist at the Royal Free Hospital. Mackay wrote articles on various types of research which were published in medical journals and included Studies of Rickets in Vienna, 1919 â 1922, and Nutritional Anaemia in Infancy. Helen Mackay died (July 15, 1965).

Mackay, Jessie â (1864 â 1938)

New Zealand poet and journalist

Jessie Mackay was born in Rakaia Gorge in Canterbury, the child of Scottish emigrants. An energetic supporter of female suffrage and prohibition, she became the first truly significant New Zealand verse writer, producing collections such as The Spirit of the Rangatira (1889), From the Maori Sea (1908) and Vigil (1935).

Mackay, MaryÂ Â Â Â seeÂ Â Â Corelli, Marie

McKean, Katharine Winthrop â (1914 â 1997)

American tennis player

Katharine Winthrop was born in Ipswich, Massachusetts, a descendant of John Winthrop, the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. She married Quincy Adams Shaw McKean, to whom she bore four sons. As a young woman Katharine won four national junior girlsâ tennis titles, and five national womenâs singels, in indoor singels and doubles. She was a doubles partner of Alice Marble at Wimbledon in 1936 and toured South American with Sarah Palfrey and Jack Kramer before WW II. Katharine Winthrop McKean died (Feb 12, 1997) aged eighty-two, at Hamilton, Massachusetts.

McKechnie, Dame Sheila â (1948 â 2004)

Scottish philanthropic director

Sheila McKechnie was born in Falkirk, Stirlingshire, and studied industrial relations at Edinburgh University. She was employed as a public safety officer and served with committees connected with the NHS (National Health Service). McKechnie was later appointed as the director of the homeless charity Shelter (1985) and became a public spokesperson for the homeless and unwanted. She was especially concerned with solving the problems of the young homeless, and getting them off the streets before such a life became the norm for them. Sheila McKechnie later became a member of the court of the Bank of England (1998) and was then elected as president of the EUCG (European Union Consumer Group) (2001). She assisted with the establishemtn of the FSA (Food Standards Agency). McKechnie was appointed OBE (Order of the British Empire) (1995) and then DBE (Dame Commander of the British Empire) (2001) by Queen Elizabeth II, in public recognition of her valuable services to society.

Mackellar, Dorothea â (1885 â 1968)

Australian poet and novelist

Isobel Marion Dorothea Mackellar was born (July 1, 1885) at Point Piper in Sydney, the daughter of Sir Charles Kinnaird Mackellar and his wife Marion, the daughter of Thomas Buckland, and was raised within the confines of a wealthy family, being educated at home under the supervision of a governess. Mackellar was best known for the poem âMy Countryâ which was originally published in the London Spectator as âCore of My Heartâ (1908). The second verse of this poem begins with âI Love a Sunburnt Country, A Land of Sweeping Plainsâ by which the poem, taught to succeeding generations of Australian schoolchildren, is more generally known. This was followed by the collection entitled The Closed Door (1911). She wrote several novels of little importance in conjunction with Ruth Bedford. She gave up writing due to ill-health (1926) and resided at Gunnedah in New South Wales. Dorothea Mackellar died (Jan 14, 1968) in Sydney, aged eighty-two. A collection of her verse was published posthumously as My Country and Other Poems (1982).

McKendry, Maxime de la FalaiseÂ Â Â Â see Â Â Â Falaise, Maxime de la

McKenna, Siobhan â (1923 â 1986)

Irish actress

Siobhan McKenna was born in Belfast and made her stage debut in Galway. She later joined the Abbey Theatre (1944), which performed leading roles successfully in both English and Gaelic. McKenna made her debut in London (1947), and New York (1955), becoming famous for her interpretations of charactres by William Shakespeare, Eugene OâNeill, and Bertolt Brecht, Anton Chekhov, and Bernard Shaw, amongst other leading playwrights. Despite her international repertoire, McKennaâs popularity was grounded in her performance of traditional Irish roles. During the latter part of the career she performed in the one-woman show entitled Here Are Ladies (1975).

Mackenzie, Anna MariaÂ Â see Â Â Johnson, Anna Maria

Mackenzie, Georgina MuirÂ Â Â seeÂ Â Sebright, Georgina Muir Mackenzie, Lady

Mackenzie, Helen â (1819 â after 1881)

Anglo-Indian author

Helen Douglas the elder daughter of Admiral Douglas of Malvern, she became the second wife (1843) of Lieutenant-General Colin Mackenzie (1806 â 1881), with whom she spent some years in India during the British Raj, before and after the Indian Mutiny (1857). She was the author of English Women in the Rebellion (1859). Helen Mackenzie survived her husband and wrote his biography Storms and Sunshine of a Soldierâs Life: Lt-Gen Colin Mackenzie 1825 â 1881 (2 vols.). She left her own memoirs Life in the Mission, the Camp and the Zenana (harem) (1872, 3 vols.).

Mackenzie, Helen Margaret â (1889 â 1966)

British painter, portraitist and designer

Helen Mackenzie was raised in Ladyhill, Elgin. She studied painting at the Elgin Academy and at the Royal College of Art. She was married (1915) to Herbert Ashwin Budd, but retained the use of her maiden name. Particularly known for her studies of figures, Mackenzie exhibited her work at the Royal Academy, and abroad in Canada, the USA, and New Zealand. Her best known works included Hyde Park in Summer and Victorian Family. Helen Mackenzie died (May 4, 1966) in London.

McKenzie, Marian â (c1848 â 1927)

British contralto vocalist and educator

Marian McKenzie was born at Plymouth, the daughter of a captain. Her vocal training was overseen by Samuel Weekes in Plymouth, and at the Royal Academy of Music under Alberto Randeggar, where she became a Parepa Rosa Scholar and a Westoreland Scholar. She became the wife of Richard Smith Williams. Having become a bronze, silver and gold medallist at the Royal Academy, Marian eventually became the principal contralto singer of the Handel and Bach Festivals, and was a prominent leading vocalist at the Leeds, Birmingham, Norwich and Chester Festivals, as well as the Welsh Eisteddfodd. She also performed with the Royal State concerts and at the viceregal court in Dublin. Marian McKenzie died (June 16, 1927) in London.

Mackie, Margaret Alison â (1910 â 1991)

Australian physician, obstetrician and medical officer

Mackie was born (Nov 6, 1910) in Armadale, Victoria, and attended the Presbyterian Ladies College in Melbourne. She then went on to study obstetrics and gynaecology at the University of Melbourne. Margaretâs first position was as the resident medical officer at the Royal Melbourne Hospital (1936), and became the first female medical superintendent officer of the Royal Womenâs Hospital in Melbourne (1940 â 1945). There she later served for two decades (1949 â 1970) as the honorary outpatient obstetrician. Mackie was appointed as a fellow of the Royal College of Obstericians and Gynaecologists, and of the Australian College of Obstericians and Gynaecologists. In recognition of her work in this field she was created CMG (Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George) by Queen Elizabeth II (1975).

McKillop, Mary Helen â (1842 â 1909)

Australian nun

Mary McKillop was born at Fitzroy in Melbourne, Victoria, the daughter of Scottish emigrants. She became a nun and co-founded the Society of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart in Penola, South Australia with Father Tenison-Woods (1866). The society eventually numbered one hundred and seventy schools and one hundred and sixty Josephite convents. Inter-diocesan rivalries caused Mother Mary to be excommunicated (1871), but she was re-instated by Pope Pius IX, who then officially aprroved the new order (1873), and confirmed her superior-general (1875). Mary Mackillopâs order was especially devoted to the care and education of children and the care of unmarried mothers. The cause for her beatification was introduced in 1975, and Mother Mackillop was finally beatified by Pope John Paul II (1995). When her canonisation was completed by Pope Benedict XVI she then became Australiaâs first saint (2010) as St Mary of the Cross.

Mackin, Catherine â (1940 â 1982)

American journalist and telelvision reporter

Catherine Mackin was born in Baltimore, Maryland and attended the University of Maryland. For several years during the 1960âs she was employed as a correspondent for the Hearst newspapers in Washington. She became the first woman reporter to cover the floor of the Democratic and Republican National Conventions (1972) and when she later joined the ABC (American Broadcasting Companies) (1977) she later covered political events during popular television programs. Catherine Mackin died (Nov 20, 1982) aged forty-two in Baltimore, after a long illness.

McKinney, Louise â (1868 â 1933)

Canadian suffragette and politician

Louise McKinney was born in Franksville, Ontario. She was trained as a rural schoolteacher, and settled in Claresholm, Alberta after her marriage. McKinney joined the agricultural Non-partisan League (1916), which worked for the general ownership of flour mills for public benefit. She stood as a candidate for the League in the Alberta legislature (1917), becoming the first woman in the British Empire to become a member of any legislative body. Louise McKinney was a member of the Canadian Temperance Movement and joined the campaign for womenâs suffrage.

McKinnon, Jill â (1952 â 2008)

Australian academic

Jill Frost was born in Barraba, New South Wales, the daughter of a farmer. She later attended school in Inverell and studied economics at the University of New England. Frost was employed as a bank official prior to her marriage (1976) with Stuart McKinnon. The couple spent several years in England, where Jill studied at the University of Bath in Somerset. After her return to Australia (1979) she joined the faculty of the Macquarie University (1979), where she eventually became an associate professor. McKinnon was one of the first women in Australia to become a doctor of philosophy of accounting, and was considered an expert conerning Japanese culture from the time of the samurai to the end of the twentieth century. She was the author of many research papers.

Mackinolty, Judy â (1931 â 2001)

Australian historian, educator and sportswoman

Judy Mackinolty was born in Melbourne, Victoria. She was the author of Sugar Bag Days â Sydney Workers and the Challenge of the 1930âs Depression (1972). Judy Mackinolty died in Sydney, New South Wales.

Mackintosh, ElizabethÂ Â Â Â seeÂ Â Â Â Tey, Josephine

Mackintosh, Margaret â (1865 â 1933)

British water colour painter and stained glass artist

Born Margaret MacDonald near Wolverhampton in Staffordshire, she was the sister to artist Frances MacDonald, the wife of artist Herbert McNair. She studied art at the Glasgow College of Art, and was married (1900) to the Scottish architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh. With her husband, sister, and brother-in-law, she formed the famous Glasgow âGroup of Four,â the leading exponents of the Art Noveau style in Scotland. Mackintosh exhibited her work widely in Europe, being awarded the Diploma of Honour at the Turin International Exhibition (1902) in Piedmont, Italy. Her best known work was the gesso panel, Oh ye, all ye that walk in Willowood (1902) which formed part of the decorative design for the Room de Luxe in the Willow Tearooms.

Macklin, Maria â (1732 â 1781)

Irish stage actress

Maria Macklin was the illegitimate daughter of the noted actor Charles Macklin. She was taught music and languages by her father, and was trained for the stage. Possessed of little beauty, she was nonetheless elegant and accomplished, and was especially popularly in âbreechesâ roles. Macklin was especially remembered for playing Portia opposite her fatherâs Shylock, but her performances lacked warmth. Maria Macklin died estranged from her father.

McKnown, Bethia Pyatt Donaldson â (1798 â after 1865)

Southern American Civil War diarist

Bethia McKnown was a native of Missouri, and had sons fighting on opposite sides of the war, one of whom changed allegiance from the Confederacy to the Union. Excerpts from her surviving correspondence were published as The Civil War Letters of Bethia Pyatt Donaldson (1973). These letters provided a valuable insight into the damage inflicted within a Southern family by conflicting political beliefs.

McKown, Robin Clason â (c1925 â 1976)

American author and childrenâs writer

Robin Clason was born in Denver, Colorado. She attended the universities of Colorado and Illinois and was married to Dallas McKown. Robin McKown worked for several years in New York as a sales promoter for a publicist and also wrote columns concerning contemporary authors and their work and was employed as a radio scriptwriter. She later worked in New York on a volunteer basis for the widows and orphans of member of the French Resistance. Her published work included Painter of the Wild West â Frederic Remington (1959), Marie Curie (1959), She Lived for Science â Irene Joliot-Curie (1961), Eleanor Rooseveltâs World (1964), The Execution of Maximilian: A Hapsburg Emperor Meets Disaster in the New World (1973) and The Opium War in China, 1840 â 1842 (1974). Her works for children included Rakoto and the Drongo Bird (1966) and The Boy Who Woke Up in Madagascar (1967).

Mackworth, LadyÂ Â Â see Â Â Â Rhondda, Margaret Haig Thomas, Viscountess

Macky, ConstanceÂ Â Â Â Â see Â Â Â Â Jenkins, Constance

McLachlan, Jessie â (1834 â c1899)

Scottish suspected murderess

Jessie McLachlan was a servant in a Glasgow household, where a murder took place when the family was absent. The ownerâs father was arrested on suspicion of murder, but he was released a week afterwards, and McLachlan was then charged with murder, convicted and sentenced to death (1862). McLachlan denied all knowledge of the crime, naming the homweownerâs father as the real murderer, but he then appeared as the chief prosecution witness. A petition against her conviction and sentence collected over fifty thousand signatures. A private enquiry set up by the parliament resulted in McLachlan being granted a pardon by Queen Victoria, on condition that she remained a prisoner. After serving fifteen years, she was released and permitted to immigrate to the USA, where she remained the rest of her life.

MacLachlan, Laurentia â (1866 â 1953)

British nun and literary figure

Margaret McLachlan was born at Coatbridge in Lanarkshire, Scotland. She became a Benedictine nun at the Abbey of Stanbrook (1884) and became Dame Laurentia McLachlan in religion. She was later elected as Abbess of Stanbrook a position she retained for over two decades until her death (1931 â 1957). Dame Laurentia became a specialist in mediaeval manuscripts and music and she received the Bene Merenti medal from Pope Pius XI (1934) in recognition of her contributions to church music. Dame Laurentia died aged eighty-seven at Stanbrook. Dame Laurentia corresponded with such literary figures as George Bernard Shaw and Sir Sydney cockerel and many of these letters have survived. This friendship was explored by Felicitas Corrigan in the work The Nun, the Infidel, and the Superman and by Hugh Whitemore in his book entitled The Best of Friends. The film version had Dame Wendy Hiller as Laurentia and Sir John Gielgud as Cockerell. Actress Patricia Routledge played Laurentia in a stage production of The Best of Friends at the Hampstead Theatre in London (2006).

McLagan, Kim â (1948 â 2006)

British model and businesswoman

Born Maryse Elizabeth Patricia Kerrigan at Leicester, she spent most of her childhood in Malaysia and in East Africa. During her early teenage years she removed back to Britain with her family. Kim became a hairdresser and was involved with modelling, establishing a successful career for herself in London. She became involved with the musician Keith Moon, drummer for the band The Who (1964) whom she married in 1966, and to whom she bore a daughter. The marriage foundered due to Moonâs excessive drinking, drug-taking and occasional violence and she eventually left Moon in 1973. They were later divorced (1975). Kim remarried to keyboard player Ian McLagan (1978) and the couple went to live in the USA. There she established her own company, and provided chauffeur service to celebrities as well and KM Skincare, her own cosmetics line. Her death was caused by a car accident.

McLanahan, Frances Lamarr â (1900 â 1970)

American pianist and music patron

Frances Lamarr Gurr was born in Macon, Georgia. She studied the piano under Joseph Maerz at the Wesleyan College and then travelled to Paris to complete her musical education. There she met and was married to Alexander McLanahan, an army pilot to whom she bore a son. Mrs McLanahan and her husband resided at the Chateau de Missery at the Cote dâOr in France where they received such distinguished visitors as the artists Augustus John and Rembrandt Peale who both painted her portrait. She was photographed by Cecil Beaton and the sculptors Stuart Benson and Gleb Derujinsky produced busts of her. She was the chairman and patron of such organizations as the Community Music Schools of New York, the Music Education League and the Little Orchestra Society. Mrs McLanahan also served the Les Anciens Eleves du Conservatoire de Paris and on the board of the Metropolitan Opera Guild. Mrs McLanahan died (Feb 26, 1970) aged sixty-nine.

McLaren, Agnes â (1837 â 1913)Â

Scottish physician

Agnes McLaren was born in Edinburgh. Agnes was almost forty years old when she began to study medicine in Dublin and France, and she succeeded in becoming the first woman to graduate in medicine from the University of Montpellier (1878). Agnes McLaren established hr own private practive at Cannes but later converted to Roman Catholicism and joined the Dominican Order. Agnes McLaren founded the first Catholic medical mission in India, the hospital of St Catherine in Rawalpindi (1910), which was organised as a hospital for women, run by women, as the Islamic law required. She also campaigned for missionary priests and nuns to receive medical training.

McLaren, Dame Anne Laura Dorinthea â (1927 â 2007)Â

Welsh developmental biologist, geneticist, immunologist and cancer researcher

Dame Anne McLaren was born (April 26, 1927) the daughter of the second Baron Aberconway, and his wife Christabel, the daughter of Sir Melville Macnaghten. She was married (1952) to Professor Donald Michie (1924 â 2007), to whom she bore three children. 