Noble American Lives: Biographies of America's Religious Thinkers and Believers

William H. Benson
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  • HISTORY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

This show is about the lives of certain individuals from America's past, who participated in America's religious journey over the past five centuries. Some thought more deeply than did others. Some believed in new ways. Some believed in old ways, but promoted an existing religion in a new way. Each episode covers a chapter from a biography from twelve individuals: Roger Williams, Cotton Mather, Thomas Paine, George Whitefield, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Joseph Smith, William James, Mary Baker Eddy, Mark Twain, Billy Graham, H. L. Mencken, and Jim Bakker. In addition, other episodes will include comparisons and contrasts between the individuals.

  1. MAR 12

    William James vs. Mary Baker Eddy: Epilogue and Debate on Christian Science, Pragmatism, and Prayer

    In episode 135, part five (the epilogue) of The Noble American Lives Podcast, William H. Benson continues reading from his fourth book comparing Harvard philosopher William James with Christian Science founder Mary Baker Eddy, within a staged group discussion featuring figures like H. L. Mencken, Mark Twain, Joseph Smith, Roger Williams, Cotton Mather, George Whitefield, Billy Graham, and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Mencken praises Eddy's rise from hardship; James revises earlier comments from Varieties, noting Christian Science's view of evil and suggesting links to pragmatism. Eddy criticizes James's privileged life and his perceived lack of commitment, while others debate Eddy's theology, authority, and her bylaw replacing preachers with "readers." James and Eddy read passages on prayer that Cotton Mather notes are surprisingly similar, and the scene turns toward Mark Twain beginning his story. (00:00) Series Intro and Setup (01:28) Recap of Earlier Books (02:45) Episode 135 Epilogue Begins (03:58) Mary Baker Eddy Takes the Stage (05:24) William James on Christian Science (09:17) Joseph Smith Debates Theology (12:31) Mary Critiques William James (15:35) HL Mencken and Twain Fire Back (17:28) Roger Williams on Authority (21:42) Preachers vs Lesson Sermon (29:09) Emerson and the Will to Believe (34:08) Prayer Passages Read Aloud 37:57 Mark Twain Story Tease

    39 min

  2. MAR 12

    William James vs. Mary Baker Eddy: Final Days, Legacies

    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

    37 min

  3. FEB 25

    Mary Baker Eddy Continued: Mark Twain's Critique, Church Control, Final Years, and Death

    Episode 133 of the Noble American Lives Podcast (February 24, 2026) has host William H. Benson complete his 2026 biography of Mary Baker Eddy from his fourth book, William James Versus Mary Baker Eddy, after briefly recapping earlier paired volumes and sharing Amazon and Substack subscription notes. The reading highlights Mark Twain's critiques of Eddy's church bylaws, including replacing pastors with lay readers, forbidding explanatory remarks, limiting reader tenure, and Eddy retaining the title "Pastor Emeritus," along with the Mother's Room controversy and Eddy's published responses. It also notes Twain's ambivalence—mocking her while crediting her business ability and force of character—and includes biographer Gillian Gill's imagined account of what a meeting between Twain and Eddy might have been like. Benson lists Eddy's major published works and dates, then covers her 1908 move from Pleasant View to a remodeled Chestnut Hill estate, the founding push for the Christian Science Monitor, and her declining health, including kidney stones, respiratory illness, and disputed morphine use. The episode recounts her final words ("God is my life"), her death on December 3, 1910, funeral and will distributions (including gifts to family, Calvin Fry, Augusta Stetson, a trust, a mortgage payoff, and most of an estimated $3 million estate to the Mother Church), Pleasant View's later demolition, and Christian Science interpretations of her "appearing" to die, ending with Eddy's reported river-crossing vision involving her mother, Albert, Dr. Quimby, and Shakespeare. (00:00) Podcast Intro and Series (01:25) Previous Books Recap (02:44) Episode 133 Setup (03:52) Twain on Church Bylaws (05:52) The Mothers Room Myth (10:52) Twain and Eddy Unmet (12:48) Eddys Major Writings (14:15) Chestnut Hill Decline (16:53) Death Funeral and Will (19:02) Christian Science View of Death (20:56) Eddys Final Vision

    22 min

  4. FEB 22

    Mary Baker Eddy, the 1907 Lawsuit, and Mark Twain's Critique

    Episode 132 (Feb. 17, 2026) has William H. Benson reading from his book on William James vs. Mary Baker Eddy, continuing Eddy's biography. It covers Eddy's tense 1906 press interview, Joseph Pulitzer's push for a "next friend" lawsuit alleging she was controlled, George W. Glover II's recruitment, and the influence of McClure's anti-Eddy "Milmine" series (largely written in 14 parts by Willa Cather). The 1907 case centers on whether Eddy was competent to create a March 6 trust placing her property under three trustees; after journalists and Chandler's team find her lucid, the suit is dismissed Aug. 21, 1907, and Eddy later gives her son $245,000 with a no-will-contest condition. The script also summarizes Mark Twain's financial and family hardships, his reliance on Frederick Peabody, and his 1907 book Christian Science attacking Eddy's writing, profits from Science and Health, and pursuit of power while also expressing admiration for her achievements. (00:00) Welcome & Series Overview: The Parallel Lives Project (02:49) Episode 132 Setup: William James vs. Mary Baker Eddy (03:51) 1906 Press Interview at Pleasant View: Mary Faces the Reporters (05:24) Pulitzer Pushes a Lawsuit: Recruiting George Glover (07:40) McClure's Exposé: The Milmine Biography Shapes Public Opinion (10:07) Next-Friend Suit Filed & Mary's Trust Deed Defense (1907) (13:31) In Court and in the Press: Probing Mary's Competence (15:47) Case Dismissed: Victory, Aftermath, and a Costly Settlement (16:21) Mark Twain Enters the Story: Fame, Hardship, and a Target (18:59) Twain's Attack on Mary Baker Eddy: Style, Money, and Power

    24 min

  5. FEB 15

    Mary Baker Eddy—The Mother Church, Family Strain, and Boston Controversies

    William H. Benson introduces Episode 130 and continues reading his Mary Baker Eddy biography from the William James vs. Eddy book. The script covers completion and dedication of the Mother Church, including ordaining the Bible and Science and Health as its pastor, plus later visits and speeches. It notes the Mother Church Extension and Eddy's founding of the Christian Science Monitor. It details conflicts with her son George Glover over repeated money requests and her attempts to help his family. It also recounts Eddy's adoption and dismissal of Ebenezer Foster and major attacks from dissident students, Quimby plagiarism accusations, and Boston clergymen. (00:00) Welcome to Noble American Lives + Series Overview (02:39) William James vs. Mary Baker Eddy (and Copyright Notice) (03:39) Building & Dedicating the Mother Church (1894–1895) (05:43) Eddy's Quiet Visits and Final Addresses at the Mother Church (1895–1896) (07:54) Expansion & Media Legacy: Extension and the Christian Science Monitor (1902–1908) (08:58) A Complicated Reunion: Son George Glover's Visits and Money Requests (14:06) Adopting Ebenezer Foster Eddy—and the Fallout (1888–1897) (18:25) Enduring Attacks, Outsiders, and the Movement's Rise (1880–1910) (20:35) The Lynn Rebellion: Student Resignations, Vision, and Expulsions (1881) (25:17) Public Controversies: Quimby Plagiarism Claims and Clergy Pushback (1883–1885) (29:10) Tremont Temple Showdown: Eddy's 10-Minute Defense and Aftermath (1885)

    32 min

  6. FEB 8

    Mary Baker Eddy Continues: Some Major Achievements

    In Episode 130 of the Noble American Lives Podcast, William H. Benson narrates the profound life of Mary Baker Eddy, founder of the Church of Christ, Scientist, and contrasts it with the life of William James, a Harvard philosopher. The episode discusses Mary Baker Eddy's significant achievements, such as the establishment and growth of the Christian Science Church, the creation of the Christian Science Monitor, and her personal struggles including the complicated relationships with her son George and her adopted son Ebenezer Foster Eddy. Benson also highlights the various attacks Eddy faced both externally, from rivals and critics, and internally, from within her organization. The episode continues Benson's exploration of notable American religious figures, emphasizing Eddy's resilience and fortitude in the face of recurring challenges. (00:00) Introduction to the Noble American Lives Podcast (01:24) Overview of Previous Episodes and Books (02:41) Episode 130: William James vs. Mary Baker Eddy (03:49) Mary Baker Eddy's Church and Teachings (09:01) Mary Baker Eddy's Personal Struggles and Family (14:06) Adoption of Ebenezer Foster and Subsequent Issues (18:32) Legal Battles and Public Perception (27:48) Mary Baker Eddy's Enduring Legacy

    31 min

  7. JAN 14

    Mary Baker Eddy: Founding Christian Science

    In this episode of the Noble American Lives Podcast, host William H. Benson continues his exploration of Mary Baker Eddy's life, as detailed in his fourth book, 'The Noble Lives of American Religious Thinkers and Believers.' From Mary's early days in Portland, Maine under the mentorship of Phineas Quimby, to her discovery of Christian Science following a significant fall in 1866, the episode covers her struggle against poverty, her troubled marriage, and her relentless drive to establish herself as a writer, teacher, and founder of the Christian Science religion. The episode ends with Mary completing her foundational work, 'Science and Health,' and beginning the construction of her own church. (00:00) Introduction to the Podcast (00:17) Overview of the Series (01:24) Previous Episodes Recap (02:41) Today's Episode: Mary Baker Eddy (03:46) Mary Baker Eddy's Early Life and Challenges (06:16) The Discovery of Christian Science (09:31) Mary Baker Eddy's Struggles and Teachings (22:24) Formation of Christian Science (26:47) Publication of 'Science and Health' (28:41) Conclusion and Legacy

    30 min

  8. JAN 6

    Mary Baker Eddy: Family Troubles

    In this episode of the 'Noble American Lives' podcast, host William H. Benson reads from his biography of Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of the Church of Christ, Scientist. The episode details Eddy's challenging life during the mid-19th century, including the loss of family members, the separation from her son, financial hardships, and her turbulent marriage to Daniel Patterson. It highlights the periods of her life living in North Groton, New Hampshire, her declining health, and her eventual encounter with healer Phineas Quimby, who significantly influenced her thoughts on spiritual healing, setting the stage for her future work in Christian Science. (00:00) Introduction to the Noble American Lives Podcast (00:18) Overview of the Series and Books (01:25) Previous Episodes Recap (02:44) Today's Focus: Mary Baker Eddy (03:48) Mary Baker Eddy's Early Life and Family Struggles (08:29) Marriage to Daniel Patterson and Continued Hardships (11:39) Separation from Son and Financial Troubles (24:01) Health Struggles and Meeting Phineas Quimby (26:50) Quimby's Influence and Mary's Transformation (29:53) Controversies and Legacy

    32 min
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About

This show is about the lives of certain individuals from America's past, who participated in America's religious journey over the past five centuries. Some thought more deeply than did others. Some believed in new ways. Some believed in old ways, but promoted an existing religion in a new way. Each episode covers a chapter from a biography from twelve individuals: Roger Williams, Cotton Mather, Thomas Paine, George Whitefield, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Joseph Smith, William James, Mary Baker Eddy, Mark Twain, Billy Graham, H. L. Mencken, and Jim Bakker. In addition, other episodes will include comparisons and contrasts between the individuals.

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