Mary Booth

The Woman who Shaped the Anzac Legend

Raelene Frances and Bruce Scates

Published by The Miegunyah Press/Melbourne University Publishing

RRP $49.99 in paperback | ISBN 9780522880717

The name Mary Booth would most likely be unknown to most Australians. Why? Because for a long time the role of women in shaping Australia has been overlooked or, at best, given scant attention.

So who was Mary Booth? How did she come to be known as the ‘Queen of Anzac’. How far did her influence spread?

One thing we do know for sure is that she did her best to hide her convict antecedents, suggesting her English forebears had emigrated willingly to Australia. Born in 1869, it was the enterprise of her resourceful family that enabled Booth to aspire to an education that would elevate her ambitions despite the formidable obstacles that faced women in higher education.

As the impact of the First World War began to be felt by the families left behind, Mary Booth established the Centre for Soldiers’ Wives and Daughters, a practical move to help women often left destitute by the loss of the breadwinner.

Booth was an ardent supporter of the British empire.

At times though her ideas could appear contradictory: a committed feminist who support conscription; a staunch political conservative who championed women’s rights, she brought energy and deep commitment to every cause she championed.

This book has been widely praised for finally revealing the story of a woman who deserves an honoured place in Australian history.

PRAISE

‘Like many quiet revolutionaries, Mary Booth was both of, and ahead of, her time. In this brilliantly creative reconstruction of Dr Booth’s life, career and causes, Bruce Scates and Raelene Frances rethink the history of Australian feminism, philanthropy, Anzac commemoration and national identity. They have rescued from undeserved obscurity a formidably talented and energetic woman who deserves an honoured place in the story of how Australia became modern.’
Professor Frank Bongiorno AM, University of Canberra

‘This is a wonderful exploration of a challenging and enigmatic subject – Mary Booth, who lived such a long and active life from mid 19th to mid 20th century. In tracing the life of a woman who was so many things – pioneer female doctor, feminist activist, welfare worker, ardent supporter of empire, environmentalist, and nurturer of Anzac commemoration – Mary Booth brings to life a time very different from, but also foundational to, our own. Each chapter is a major study of an important aspect of Australian history – university education for women, medical services for children, the First World War on the home front, and much more. I loved the combination of immersive detail and wide-ranging analysis every step of the way. The chapter on the Soldiers’ Club, founded and managed by Mary Booth – surely one of the best accounts we have of returning soldiers during and after the First World War – is just one example.’
Honorary Professor Ann Curthoys, AM, University of Sydney.

‘Mary Booth is a pioneering biography of a leading but forgotten Australian social reformer, physician, feminist, patriot, and British Empire advocate who promoted a myriad of causes including support for soldiers of the First World War. Eloquently written and meticulously researched, Mary Booth is a compelling and riveting account which beautifully evokes a period of great social and cultural change in Australia. It captures with powerful clarity and formidable insight Booth’s central and vital role in influencing and shaping this change during the first decades of the twentieth century.’ 
Professor Joy Damousi, AM, University of Melbourne

‘The research is prodigious, the writing sparkles. Brilliantly contextualised, this book is a delight to read.’
Dr Michael McKernan, Former Deputy Director of the Australian War Memorial.

‘Mary Booth exemplified the wide span of Federation-era feminism – political conservatives were modern women too. Her life is skilfully told by two of Australia’s best women’s and social historians.’
Emeritus Professor Angela Woollacott, Australian National University.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Raelene Frances is Emeritus Professor of History at the Australian National University. She is internationally recognised for her contributions to social, gender and labour history, particularly to the understanding of the intersections between work, gender, class and war.

Bruce Scates is a Fulbright Scholar and Emeritus Professor of History at the Australian National University. He has pioneered new forms of life writing, published widely on the culture of commemoration and the human cost of war, and is a major contributor to debates in social, labour and gender history.