Mary Booth

Mary Booth (1869–1956) was an Australian physician, clubwoman and philanthropist.

Early life and education Mary Booth was born on 9 July 1869 at Burwood, Sydney. She was the eldest of three daughters of Ruth Sewell, and William Booth. Booth educated in private, at Airlie School and then graduated Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) from the University of Sydney on 14 April 1890.

She supported herself by working as a governess for the children of the New South Wales governor, Victor Child Villiers, 7th Earl of Jersey, until 1893 when she received inheritance from her grandfather Thomas Sewell. She studied medicine at the Edinburgh College of Medicine for Women (graduating in 1899) before returning to Sydney in 1900.

Career Booth kept medical consulting rooms on Macquarie street, primarily working contracts in public health. She taught at girls' secondary schools and worked as a lecturer for the NSW Department of Public Instruction. Booth was the office bearer and founder of many patriotic associations, including the Friendly Union of Soldiers' Wives and the Soldier's Club. She founded the Soldier's Club at the Royal Hotel on George Street, when she identified the problem of homeless soldiers. She also set up a centre for Soldiers Wives and Mothers, and established a War Widows Fund.

Booth stood unsuccessfully for North Shore as an Independent candidate in 1920. In 1961 the Mary Booth Lookout in Kirribilli was named in her honour. Booth Crescent, in the Canberra suburb of Cook, is named for her.