In episode 134 of the Noble American Lives Podcast (March 3, 2026), William H. Benson introduces his book series pairing American religious thinkers and believers and begins reading the comparison-and-contrast section of his fourth book on William James and Mary Baker Eddy. He outlines their origins, deaths in 1910, family backgrounds, education, health struggles, careers, marriages, parenting, inheritances, and major influences (Henry James Sr. and Emerson for William; Mark Baker and later Phineas Quimby for Mary). Benson contrasts William's path as a Harvard scientist-turned-psychologist and philosopher who studied religion without committing to it, with Mary's rise from poverty and invalidism to author Science and Health, founder and administrator of Christian Science, and target of sustained public and internal opposition. He closes by describing their deaths and differing beliefs about postmortem communication.
(00:00) Show Intro
(00:21) Series Overview
(02:39) Episode Focus
(04:01) Births and Deaths
(05:13) Fathers and Upbringing
(09:35) Education and Travel
(11:27) Careers Take Shape
(14:56) Marriage and Family
(18:53) Motherhood and Separation
(21:43) Money and Inheritance
(22:34) Health and Healing
(26:53) Beliefs and Influences
(29:04) Opposition and Controversy
(33:15) Science and Religion
(35:19) Final Days and Legacy
