The Mary Baker Eddy Collection
The Mary Baker Eddy Collection is comprised of Mary Baker Eddy’s manuscripts, correspondence, printed materials, scrapbooks, and diaries.
For access to Eddy’s manuscripts, please visit mbepapers.org. This website is constantly adding new content. It currently includes annotated transcriptions and scanned documents from 1872 to 1886.
Mary Baker Eddy Articles, c. 1835-1910*
This collection contains articles and other manuscript material written by Mary Baker Eddy, her secretaries, and others who wrote on her behalf. Specific material in this collection includes two volumes of “The Bible in its Spiritual Meaning” (also known as the Genesis Manuscript); two copybooks of poems and other manuscript material; two volumes of typewritten manuscripts and clippings for The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany; two volumes of an edited typescript for Miscellaneous Writings, 1883-1896; two volumes of edited proofs for various publications including the Manual of The Mother Church; a volume of various deeds and leases.
Mary Baker Eddy Autographed and Inscribed Books, n.d, 1875-1910
This collection consists of 198 books and pamphlets, signed and inscribed by Mary Baker Eddy and presented to her relatives, students, and contemporaries. The bulk of the collection includes Eddy’s published writings.
Mary Baker Eddy Book Collection, 1551, 1693-1910
The Mary Baker Eddy Book Collection consists of approximately 450 books from Mary Baker Eddy’s Chestnut Hill home (400 Beacon). Bulk of the books were present in her study before their transfer to the Archives. The collection consists of Bibles, Bible reference books, and other titles by authors Eddy was known to have liked or referenced, books by contemporaries, and books by Eddy. Many of the books contain notations by Eddy and inscriptions from authors of the books to Eddy.
Mary Baker Eddy Calling Cards and Stationery
The Mary Baker Eddy Calling Cards and Stationery collection contains stationery items, calling cards, business cards, and related products within the Art & Artifact Collection. The bulk of this collection consists of Eddy’s personal stationery and calling cards, although there are also a number of cards that she received from other individuals. Stationery in the collection includes letterhead and envelopes which help to show how Eddy presented herself through her prolific correspondence. Her calling cards, business cards, and invitations reflect her different residences and professional roles over time. Other calling cards and business cards identify both prominent and everyday individuals. The materials in this collection represent the early growth of the Christian Science movement, Eddy’s family and associates, and her residences.
Mary Baker Eddy and Calvin A. Frye Diary Collection, c. 1861-1917*
This collection contains 149 small notebooks written by Calvin A. Frye, Mary Baker Eddy’s personal secretary, with some entries by Mary Baker Eddy. Entries vary in content from “to do” lists, addresses, accounting, grocery lists, prayers (or watches), procedures for various tasks, and other items of note. Many entries contain sections of text in Pitman shorthand.
Mary Baker Eddy Incoming Correspondence, n.d., 1868-1910
This collection consists mainly of letters received by Mary Baker Eddy and members of her household from c. 1880-1910. A small quantity of earlier correspondence also exists in the file. Comments, notations, and responses by her or her staff also appear on some documents. Correspondents include family, students, employees, Christian Scientists, the general public, and a few notable figures such as journalist Arthur Brisbane and suffragist Mary Livermore. There are approximately 6,700 correspondent files, many consisting of one letter. It is likely that her personal secretary, Calvin A. Frye, organized this file with assistance from other secretaries in later years.
Publisher’s Correspondence File, c. 1885-1889
This collection of letters, mainly written to Mary Baker Eddy or Calvin Frye, includes orders for Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures and other Christian Science publications. A number of letters contain reports of healing, requests for Christian Science treatment, and inquiries regarding class instruction in Christian Science healing. Letters are generally from her students, booksellers, University Press (Eddy’s printer), and others interested in Christian Science. This collection is part of the Incoming Correspondence File Collection.
Mary Baker Eddy Outgoing Correspondence, c. 1835-1910*
The Outgoing Correspondence file consists of letters written by Mary Baker Eddy, her secretaries, or other household workers. Although a few letters date back to the 1830s, the bulk of correspondence is from the 1880s to 1910. Correspondents include students, friends, business associates, family, employees, and the Christian Science Board of Directors. Topics of correspondence include counsel, instruction, business details, invitations, and thank-you notes.
Mary Baker Eddy Pamphlets and Serial Publications, 1856-1910, 1912
The Mary Baker Eddy Pamphlets and Serial Publications Collection consists of over 600 items from Mary Baker Eddy’s files from her last residence at Chestnut Hill. The collection is made up of pamphlets and serial publications. The pamphlets consist of small leaflets or booklets of the writings of Mary Baker Eddy and additional authors including persons significant to the history of Christian Science (Edward A. Kimball, Bliss Knapp, Septimus J. Hanna, etc.). The serial publications consists of magazines and journals published at regular intervals (weekly, monthly, quarterly) mostly titles published by The Christian Science Publishing Society. Many of the items are annotated or marked as noted in the finding aid.
Mary Baker Eddy sheet music (instrumental and voice)
The Mary Baker Eddy Sheet Music consists 80 handwritten and printed musical arrangements owned by Eddy and present in her home at Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. Items include her poetry set to music, sheet music inscribed to and dedicated to her, and one volume signed by her, titled “Songs of Praise” (SM0050).
Mary Baker Eddy and Calvin A. Frye Scrapbooks, c. 1835–1913
This is a collection of 33 scrapbooks containing clippings from magazines and newspapers on subjects ranging from the Civil War to the rights of women, as well as articles on Mary Baker Eddy, Christian Science, and the development of the Church of Christ, Scientist. A few books contain published writings or comments by Eddy. Finding aid includes titles of clippings, dates, publication titles, and other detailed information.
Miscellaneous Writings, 1883-1896
Miscellaneous Writings, 1883-1896 was first published in 1897. It is comprised of pieces written by Mary Baker Eddy, as well as other writings taken primarily from The Christian Science Journal. This index is intended to help in locating the original articles that are the source for much of Miscellaneous Writings. The information has been sorted chronologically, and also by the page number in which an article appears in Miscellaneous Writings.