Martin, Mary Ann (1817–1884)
Martin, Mary Ann (1817–1884)
New Zealand teacher and writer. Name variations: Mary Ann Parker. Born Mary Ann Parker, July 3, 1817, in London, England; died Jan 2, 1884, in Devon, England; dau. of William Parker (cleric) and Ann Parker; m. William Martin (barrister), 1841 (died 1880).
Immigrated to New Zealand, to join husband who had been appointed chief justice of New Zealand (1842); a semi-invalid, helped to establish hospital and dispensary service for Maori at Taurarua; taught younger boys at St John's College (1858); returned to England following wars of 1860s. Several of her diary entries formed basis of series of articles in Charlotte Yonge's magazine, Monthly Packet, and were included in Martin's posthumously published Our Maoris.
See also Dictionary of New Zealand Biography (Vol. 1).