Dictionary of Indian Biography/Carpenter, Mary
CARPENTER, MARY (1807–1877)
Daughter of Dr. Lant Carpenter : born April 3, 1807: devoted her life to philanthropy : opened schools at Bristol, for girls, for the reformation of juvenile criminals : also ragged and industrial schools : and worked for the passing of the Industrial Schools Act. Her attention had been attracted to India by the presence of Raja Rammohan Roy (q.v.) at Bristol in 1833, and by the visits of native gentlemen. She visited India in 1866–7, 1868–9, 1869–70, 1875–6, with a view to improve female education, reformatory schools, and the management of the jails. She was in communication with the authorities in India, and at the India Office, and with the leading native gentlemen, such as Keshab Chandra Sen (q.v.), with whom she founded a "National Indian Association" at Bristol in 1870, to bring Indian visitors and English inquirers into closer relations. Many of her suggestions for reforms and improvements were adopted. She paid visits to Germany and America. Among her publications were Last Days in England of the Raja Rammohan Roy, 1866 : and Six Months in India, 1868. She died on June 14, 1877.