MARY (1867– ), Queen Consort of George V, daughter of the Duke of Teck and Mary Adelaide, daughter of Adolphus, duke of Cambridge., seventh son of George III., was born at Kensington Palace May 26, 1867, and was baptised as Victoria Mary Augusta Louise Olga Pauline Claudine Agnes. She was affianced in 1891 to Albert Edward, Duke of Clarence, eldest son of Edward VII., who died Jan. 14, 1892. On July 3, she married George, Duke of York, and when he succeeded to the throne, on the death of Edward VII., was crowned with him in Westminster Abbey June 22, 1911. Both as Princess of Wales and as queen she took a prominent part in public life, showing special and well-informed interest in all that concerned the wel fare of women and children. This was particularly notable at the outset of the World War, when the organization of relief, as well as the promotion of the women's part in public service, claimed and received her constant attention. By the universal testimony of those who came into direct contact with her through those anxious years, no one showed a more practical appreciation of the problems to be solved than the queen. In the first month of the war she inaugurated (Aug. 20) the "Queen's Work for
Women Fund" to provide employment for as many as possible of the women thrown out of work by the outbreak of war. Over 7o special relief workrooms were opened, through which about 9,00o women passed before Feb. 1915 ; after that date, the need became less as the women were gradually absorbed into munition making and other industries. On Aug. Io, 1914, the queen also in augurated "Queen Mary's Needlework Guild" for the purpose of "organizing a collection of garments for those who will suffer on account of the War." On March 11, 1921, the queen showed her sympathy with the higher education of women by visiting the women's colleges at Oxford and responding generously to their ap peal for funds. The interest shown by the queen in the hospitals and the nursing profession was signalized when she opened the new College of Nursing (the gift of Lord and Lady Cowdray) in Lon don on May 31, 1926. On June 23, 1936, Queen Mary was cre ated Dame Grand Cross of the Victorian Order, being the first woman admitted into the Order. (See GEORGE V; EDWARD VIII.)