Born: 12 September 1739, United Kingdom
Died: 8 December 1815
Country most active: United Kingdom
Also known as: Mary Bosanquet
English preacher Mary Bosanquet Fletcher is credited with convincing Methodism founder John Wesley to allow women to preach in public. Her charity work included operatng a school and orphanage, where she and her friend Sarah Crosby began preaching and leading meetings, becoming the most popular female preachers of their time. Fletcher was recognized as a “Mother in Israel”, a Methodist term of honour, for her work spreading the religion across England.