The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Woolley, Mary Emma

WOOLLEY, Mary Emma, American educator: b. South Norwalk. Conn., 13 July 1863. She qualified as a teacher and was an instructor in Wheaton Seminary, Norton, Mass. (1886-91); in 1894 she was graduated at Brown University. She was teacher of biblical history at Wellesley College, 1895-1900, the last two years being professor and head of the department of biblical history and literature. In 1900 she became president of Mount Holyoke College and the growth and development of that institution have largely been due to her efforts. She has received honorary degrees from Brown, Amherst, Smith and Yale. Miss Woolley is closely identified with many and varied movements, having served as member of the board of electors of the Hall of Fame, National board of the Y. W. C. A., executive committee of the American School Peace League, council of the National Institute for Moral Instruction, Commission on Peace and Arbitration; senator of United Chapters Phi Beta Kappa; honorary vice-president of the National Consumers' League, etc. She has written ‘Early History of the Colonial Post Office’; ‘Development of the Love of Romantic Scenery in America’; also many educational articles.