Mary Therese Austin

Mary Therese Austin (pen name, Betsy B. or Betsy Bee; d. 1889) was an American theater critic, travel writer, salon holder, and tennis club founder. Based in Northern California, she wrote much and on many subjects. In her era, she had the widest reputation as a critic.

Early life and education Mary Therese Hart was born in Greenbay, Illinois, coming to California when but a child.

Austin was a graduate of the State Normal School in San Jose, California, but did not teach thereafter.

Career Austin's first entry in the literary field was made in 1874 as dramatic critic of The Daily Alta California. After 12 years, she left Alta and for a few months, became contributor to the San Francisco News Letter. Austin excelled as a drama critic with her weekly reviews, her judgment characterized as clear and unbiased.. "Betsy B's" estimate of an actor or actress was invariably accepted as accurate.

For some years, Austin had a close circle of friends who assembled in her rooms on Sunday evenings and spent three or four hours in discussion, conversation, badinage, and even in simple games that relieved the seriousness of literary and artistic talk.

Personal life Her husband, Joseph ("Joe") Austin, was from Scotland.

In the summer of 1888, Joseph and Mary Austin, and her sisters, moved into the Zeta Psi clubhouse in Berkeley, California.

She died of Bright's Disease, at the Palace Hotel, in San Francisco, on January 1, 1889, with interment at Laurel Hill Cemetery.