Born: 1850 (Chester, Ohio)
Died: 1906 (Rockford, Illinois)
Biography:
Mary Emilie Holmes (April 10, 1850 – February 13, 1906) was a 19th-century American geologist and educator who made significant contributions to the fields of geology and women’s education. She became the first woman to be elected a fellow of the Geological Society of America and played a pivotal role in the establishment of a seminary for young black women that later evolved into Mary Holmes College.
Mary Emilie Holmes was born on April 10, 1850, in Chester, Ohio, to the Reverend Mead Holmes and Mary D. Holmes. Her father was a Presbyterian minister and missionary, while her mother ran a women’s seminary for two years. The family later moved to Manitowoc, Wisconsin, where they engaged in mission work among Native Americans and became active abolitionists. Mary Emilie showed exceptional language skills from an early age, learning Greek, Latin, and French by the time she was eight years old. She also displayed a keen interest in science, creating her first herbarium at the age of five and developing a menagerie of tamed animals.
Tragedy struck the family when Mary Emilie’s brother, Mead Jr., died unexpectedly during the Civil War while serving as a soldier on the Union side. In 1864, the family relocated to Rockford, Illinois, where her father became involved in local politics. Mary D. Holmes devoted her efforts to the welfare of freedmen and served as secretary of the Woman’s Presbyterian Board of Missions of the Northwest.
Mary Emilie Holmes received her education at Rockford Female Seminary, entering at the age of 14 and graduating with a certificate in 1868. She then began teaching Spencerian penmanship at the seminary while studying for a second certificate in organ performance, which she earned in 1870. Holmes later joined her parents in their work with freedmen under the Presbyterian Board of Missions for Freedmen.
In 1877, Mary Emilie Holmes returned to the seminary as a teacher, specializing in botany and chemistry. She taught at the seminary until 1885, and one of her notable students during this period was the suffragist Jane Addams. Holmes played an instrumental role in advocating for the recognition of women’s achievements by petitioning to be granted the baccalaureate degree when the seminary began offering the A.B. degree in 1881-82. Despite some disagreement among faculty members, Holmes’s determination and academic prowess earned her the degree, making her one of the early women graduates of the seminary.
However, Holmes’s passion for science led her to pursue further studies. She attended the University of Michigan from 1884 to 1885, taking advanced courses in geology and mineralogy. Her expertise in these fields soon gained recognition, and she became the first woman to be elected a fellow of the Geological Society of America in 1894.
In addition to her contributions to geology, Mary Emilie Holmes was a champion of women’s education. She played a pivotal role in the establishment of a seminary for young black women in 1892. This educational institution, initially known as Holmes Seminary, later evolved into Mary Holmes College, named in honor of her mother. The college aimed to provide quality education for African American women and played a significant role in empowering black women in the post-Civil War era.
Mary Emilie Holmes’s work as a geologist and educator brought her recognition and admiration. Her dedication to women’s education and her groundbreaking achievements in the field of geology paved the way for future generations of women scientists. She left a lasting impact on society, both through her scientific contributions and her commitment to promoting equality in education.
Awards:
– Fellow of the Geological Society of America (1894)