Mary King was born in Ferbane, County Offaly, and was educated privately. She married Henry Ward of Castle Ward, near Strangford, County Down, who later became the 5th Viscount Bangor. She published many scientific papers and books on science under the name of the Hon. Mrs Ward, such as Sketches with the Microscope, reprinted eight times between 1858 and 1888 as The World of Wonders as Revealed by the Microscope. This book was revised and reissued as Microscope Teachings. Telescope Teachings, which appeared in 1859, was based on her observations using the world's largest telescope in the grounds of Birr Castle. She was a gifted artist, naturalist, astronomer and microscopist, and she illustrated her own work as well as that of other people, for example Sir David Brewster's Life of Newton. Two of her books were selected to be displayed at the International Exhibition at the Crystal Palace in 1862. She died tragically in an accident on a steam carriage.

Born:	1827
Died:	1869