Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Mayo, Elizabeth
MAYO, ELIZABETH (1793–1865), educational reformer, sister of Charles Mayo (1792–1846) [q. v.], was born in London 18 June 1793, and on the return of her brother from Switzerland in 1822, joined him at Epsom and subsequently at Cheam, where she remained till 1834, helping him in the instruction of his boys and in applying the principles of Pestalozzi to English education. During this time she wrote the work by which her name is best known, ‘Lessons on Objects,’ 1831, which was followed by ‘Lessons on Shells,’ 1832. From 1843 her attention was concentrated upon the work of the Home and Colonial School Society, and for many years she supervised the courses of lessons, wrote model sketches, criticised every week some of the journals kept by the students, and generally superintended the work of the institution. ‘Her criticisms were always very direct, often sharp, always clear, going to the very root of the matter, always genial, because never ill-natured or sarcastic.’
Miss Mayo resided for many years at Hampstead, and dying at Malvern 1 Sept. 1865, was buried at Kensal Green cemetery. A tablet in the society's buildings, Gray's Inn Road, London, commemorates her services in having adapted to the English mind and character the principles of Pestalozzi, leavened with evangelical truth.
Besides ‘Lessons on Objects’ and ‘On Shells’ she wrote ‘Lessons on Scripture Prints,’ 1840, ‘On Miracles,’ 1845, ‘On Religious Instruction,’ 1849, and ‘Model Lessons for Infant Schools,’ 1848–50. She also joined her brother in writing ‘Practical Remarks on Infant Education,’ 1837.
[Hist. of Mayo Family, 1882.]