“The Faith that Motivated Nancy Astor”

Hussey, Robin Harragin. “The Faith that Motivated Nancy Astor.” University of Reading blog, 23 July 2020.

Christian Science was an indispensable guide in the life and political career of Nancy Astor, the first woman to sit in the British House of Commons in 1919. Astor grew up in Virginia in the U.S. where she was deeply influenced by the missionary work of her Episcopalian minister, instilling in her a life-long drive for social change. She would ultimately move to Britain where she was introduced to Christian Science by reading Mary Baker Eddy’s book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. There she found healing of several debilitating illnesses early in her marriage to Waldorf Astor.  She and Waldorf would join forces to found Ninth Church of Christ, Scientist, London. Astor’s career as an MP in a man’s world generated “not only suspicion but actual aggression.” She took up a fight against overconsumption of alcohol—a temperance encouraged in Eddy’s writings, but also the effect of her divorce from her drunkard first husband. She managed to pass ten measures in support of women and children and used her MP position to champion the suffrage movement. After 26 years as an MP, Astor stepped down to focus on her family and church.

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See also annotation:

“The Impact of Christian Science on Political Women in the Early Twentieth Century in the UK” by Robin Harragan.

For more, see:

“Christian Science in 20th Century Britain” Part 1 by Gartrell-Mills Claire. (online, requires academic credentials or fee)

Christian Science in 20th Century Britain” Part 2 by Gartrell-Mills Claire. (online, requires academic credentials or fee)

“Women of History: Thelma Cazalet-Keir” by The Mary Baker Eddy Library

“Among the First to Stand–Christian Science and Women in Parliament” (Part One) by The Mary Baker Eddy Library