Mary Whitwell Hale (pen name, Y. L. E.; January 29, 1810 – November 17, 1862) was an American teacher, school founder, and hymnwriter eminent during the first half of the 19th century.
At the time of her birth, the parents resided in Hollis Street, and were parishioners of Dr. John Thornton Kirkland at New South Church; he baptized her, and she afterwards commemorated him in verse.
For the next three years she was connected, as a pupil, with a Young Ladies' Academy,[4] in Phillips Place, maintaining a very high rank during the entire course, and winning at the close a first prize for English composition, and most flattering encomiums from her instructor, Ebenezer Bailey.
[2] While yet a young lady, she contributed to the Boston Evening Gazette a variety of prose sketches, which were oftentimes widely copied and heartily commended.
[5] On her recovery, she returned to her labors at Phillips Place, then taught at Wellfleet on Cape Cod, and after spending a short time at Newton, went to Taunton, where she assumed, in December 1833, the duties of preceptress in the Bristol Academy.
They all together evidence a mind of uncommon natural endowments and of fine and thorough culture, as well as a heart consecrated to the highest ends of life and enriched by the best fruits of the Christian experience.
[3] When the Civil War broke out in 1861, she served as secretary of the Cheshire County Soldier's Aid Society, and wrote inspiring hymns and odes.