Mary Phinney von Olnhausen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary Phinney von Olnhausen
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Image of Phinney from the frontispiece of her posthumously published diaries. Phinney was in her mid to late forties during the Civil War.
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| Born | 1818 Massachusetts
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| Died | 1902 |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Nurse |
| Known for | Diarist who recorded 19th Century medical techniques |
| Parent(s) | Elias and Catherine Bartlett Phinney |
Mary Phinney von Olnhausen (born in 1818, died in 1902) was an American nurse. She was also an abolitionist, meaning she worked to end slavery. Mary kept detailed diaries, which are now important for understanding medical care during the American Civil War.
A book called "Adventures of an Army Nurse in Two Wars" was made from her diaries. This book helps historians learn about how doctors and nurses worked during the Civil War.
Contents
Mary's Early Life and Education
Mary Phinney was born in Lexington, Massachusetts. Her father, Elias Phinney, was a lawyer. Her mother, Catherine Bartlett Phinney, was the daughter of a doctor. Mary received a good education, attending several special schools called academies.
Mary's Family Life
In 1849, when Mary was 31, her father passed away. After his death, the family farm was sold. Mary then started looking for work. She found a job designing patterns for printed fabrics at the Manchester Mills company in Massachusetts.
Mary met Gustav A. von Olnhausen at the Manchester Mills. Gustav was a Baron from Saxony, a region in Germany. He had left his home country after some political uprisings in 1848 and 1849. He also had money problems, which made him sell his property. In the 1850s, Gustav worked as a chemist at a dye-house within the Manchester Mills.
Mary and Gustav got married on May 1, 1858. Mary was 40 years old at the time. Sadly, Gustav died just two years later, in 1860.
Nursing During the American Civil War
The American Civil War began in 1861. Mary von Olnhausen decided to become a nurse. She served at two important hospitals during the war.
First, she worked at the Mansion House Hospital in Alexandria, Virginia. Later, she moved to the Mansfield General Hospital in Morehead, North Carolina. After the war ended in 1865, Mary was officially discharged from her nursing duties. She then returned home to Illinois to help raise her brother's children.
Nursing in the Franco-Prussian War
In 1870, another war broke out in Europe. This was the Franco-Prussian War. Mary volunteered to serve as a nurse again, this time with the Prussian Army. She was accepted because she was known as the Baroness von Olnhausen. She worked in field hospitals, which are temporary hospitals set up close to battlefields. She served in towns like Meung and Vendome.
Awards and Recognition
Mary Phinney was recognized for her brave service. In 1873, Kaiser Wilhelm I awarded her the Cross of Merit for Women and Girls. This award is similar to the famous Iron Cross. Mary Phinney von Olnhausen died in Boston in April 1902.
Mary's Story in Books and TV
Adventures of an Army Nurse
After Mary's death, a book called Adventures of an Army Nurse in Two Wars was published in 1904. It was put together by James Phinney Munroe from Mary's diaries and letters.
The first part of the book describes life at the Mansion House Hospital in Alexandria. It also talks about her work at the Mansfield General Hospital in Morehead, North Carolina. The second part of the book focuses on her nursing work during the Franco-Prussian War in 1870.
Mercy Street TV Series
In 2015, the TV show PBS Masterpiece Theatre created a mini-series called Mercy Street. This show was a fictional story about life at the Mansion House Hospital, where Mary Phinney worked. The show used Mary's diaries a lot for its story. Mary Phinney was even the main character in the series, played by actress Mary Elizabeth Winstead.
