Mary Sumner

Mary Elizabeth Sumner (: 31 December 1828 – 11 August 1921) was a British educator and activist, known for founding the Mothers' Union. Sumner is commemorated in a number of provinces of the Anglican Communion on 9 August.

Early life and family Sumner was born Mary Elizabeth Heywood on 31 December 1828 at her mother's family home near Swinton to Thomas Heywood, an antiquarian and banker, and Mary Elizabeth Sumner (née Barton; died 1870). Sumner was the paternal granddaughter of the physician Thomas Percival and the niece of Benjamin Heywood, a banker, and James Heywood, a politician, university reformer, and philanthropist.

In 1832, Sumner's father retired from the family bank and the family moved to the Hope End Estate. Showing a talent for music, Sumner's father bought her an organ and arranged for her to take singing lessons in Rome, who suggested that she pursue a career in opera.

Mothers' Union

In 1851, Rev. George Sumner received the living of Old Alresford, Hampshire, in his father's diocese. Sumner dedicated herself to raising her children and helping her husband in his ministry by providing music and Bible classes.

There is a memorial to Mary Sumner in St Mary the Virgin parish church, Old Alresford, Hampshire.

Mary Sumner is remembered by many Anglican provinces on 9 August, and in the Church of England she is remembered by a Lesser Festival on this day. The Mothers' Union initially incorrectly listed this as the date of her death. While her detailed biography provides an eyewitness account confirming 11 August,