Mary Fletcher | |
|---|---|
&sq=crain_ford&lang=en&file=File:Mary_Bosanquet_Fletcher.jpg) Portrait of Mary Bosanquet Fletcher, created while she preached at Madeley | |
| Born | Mary Bosanquet 12 September 1739 |
| Died | 8 December 1815 (aged 76) |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation(s) | Class leader (c. 1763–1815) Preacher (c. 1763–1815) Philanthropist (1763–1815) |
| Spouse | |
| Relatives | Samuel Bosanquet (brother) |
| Religion | Methodist |
Mary Bosanquet Fletcher (née Bosanquet; /ˈboʊzənˌkɛt/; 12 September 1739 – 8 December 1815) was an English preacher credited with persuading John Wesley, a founder of Methodism, to allow women to preach in public. She was born into an affluent family, but after converting to Methodism, rejected its luxurious life. She was involved in charity work throughout her life, operating a school and orphanage until her marriage to John Fletcher. She and a friend, Sarah Crosby, began preaching and leading meetings at her orphanage and became the most popular female preachers of their time.[1] Fletcher was known as a "Mother in Israel", a Methodist term of honour, for her work in spreading the denomination across England.[2]
- ^ Chilcote 1991, p. 76.
- ^ Lawrence 2011, p. 81.