Part of the American History & Genealogy Project

Mary Smith Lockwood 1831 ~ 1922

Mrs. Lockwood is a woman who has done as much as any other woman in this century to elevate her sex and to secure to herself an honorable place in the literary world. Mary Smith was born in Chautauqua, New York. She lost her mother when but four years old, and the tender love of her infancy was lavished on her brother, three years her senior. To him her last book, "The Historic Homes of Washington," is most touchingly dedicated.

She is physically slight, but strong and rather below the medium height. She has firmness, strength and executive ability of a high order. An interesting face with character written on the broad brow; and in the deep blue eyes of intellectual sweetness there is mingled a determination of purpose and firm resolve. Her hair, silvered and wavy, shades a face full of kindly interest in humanity. Her voice has a peculiar charm, low-keyed and musical, yet sympathetic and far-reaching. She is friendly to all progressive movements, especially so in the progress of women. Mrs. Lockwood was the founder of the celebrated "Travel Club," which met at her home ever since its formation, on Monday evenings for many long years.

In her house was also organized the association of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Mrs. Lockwood was elected historian at the first meeting. She is the author of a text-book on ceramics, and of many bright articles on the tariff written for the best periodicals. She is also the author of "The Historical Homes of Washington." She has been president of the Woman's National Press Club and she held the position of Lady Manager at Large of the Columbian Exposition and was among the most efficient managers of the Woman's Board, throwing immense labor into the work of classification, and exercising serious responsibilities in the Committee on the Press.

We look at her with amazement and wonder, when we see this little woman doing so much and still holding all her faculties in calm, leisurely poise. She certainly demonstrates the possibility of combining business with literature, and both with an active sympathy in social reforms, and all with a womanly grace that beautifies every relation of life.

Women of America

Source: The Part Taken by Women in American History, By Mrs. John A. Logan, Published by The Perry-Nalle Publishing Company, Wilmington, Delaware, 1912.