Was Mary Walker really 121? Unpacking the story of two distinct historical figures

The claim that Mary Walker lived to be 121 years old refers to an African American woman named Mary Hardway Walker who died in Chattanooga in 1969. However, confusion often arises because another prominent historical figure, Civil War surgeon Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, also existed and is sometimes mistakenly associated with this longevity claim. This article clarifies the distinction between these two remarkable women and explains why the former's supercentenarian status is widely reported but unverified.

Quick Summary

Separating fact from folklore, this article examines the basis for the claim that Mary Walker lived to 121. It details the lives of two women with that name: Mary Hardway Walker, the former slave and literacy student from Chattanooga whose 121-year lifespan is widely cited but unverified, and Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, the Civil War surgeon and Medal of Honor recipient who died at age 86.

Key Points

• Two distinct Mary Walkers: The claim that Mary Walker lived to 121 refers to Mary Hardway Walker, a former slave from Chattanooga, not the Civil War surgeon.

• Mary Hardway Walker's legacy: She was famous for learning to read at the age of 116 in 1963, and reportedly lived to 121, though this age is not officially verified.

• Dr. Mary Edwards Walker's story: The other well-known Mary Walker was a pioneering Civil War surgeon, Medal of Honor recipient, and women's rights advocate who died at age 86 in 1919.

• Verification issues: Mary Hardway Walker's exact birth year is unconfirmed due to a lack of reliable records from the era of slavery, casting doubt on her supercentenarian status.

• Different timelines: The two women's lives took place in different time periods; the surgeon died in 1919, while the former slave passed away 50 years later.

• Resolving the confusion: The key is recognizing that two separate individuals shared the same name, and the incredible age is only attributed to one of them, albeit without official verification.

The Story of Mary Hardway Walker

Mary Hardway Walker was born into slavery in Union Springs, Alabama, around 1848. The Emancipation Proclamation granted her freedom in 1863, when she was approximately 15 years old. In 1917, she relocated to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where she worked as a cook and cleaner, also selling sandwiches to help support her local church.

Her story gained national attention when, at the supposed age of 116, she enrolled in a literacy class in 1963 and learned to read for the first time. This inspirational achievement earned her recognition as America's oldest student and praise from various dignitaries. She reportedly passed away in 1969 at the alleged age of 121. A children's book, The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read, immortalized her journey.

Why Her Age is Disputed

Despite widespread reports, the 121-year lifespan attributed to Mary Hardway Walker is not officially verified by gerontology researchers. Her birth records, like those of many formerly enslaved people born before the Civil War, are either missing or unreliable, making it impossible to confirm her exact age. The difficulty in verifying the age of individuals born in circumstances like hers means that while her story is inspirational, her status as a supercentenarian remains unofficial.

The Story of Dr. Mary Edwards Walker

Dr. Mary Edwards Walker is another significant figure named Mary Walker, and her biography should not be confused with that of Mary Hardway Walker. Born in Oswego, New York, in 1832, Mary Edwards Walker was a pioneering physician, abolitionist, and suffragist. She received her medical degree in 1855, one of the first women in the country to do so.

During the Civil War, she volunteered as a surgeon for the Union Army, a role that saw her captured and held as a prisoner of war. In 1865, President Andrew Johnson awarded her the Medal of Honor for her service, making her the only woman to have ever received the award. After the war, she became a prominent lecturer and advocate for women's rights and dress reform. She famously wore men's clothing, arguing for her right to wear "my own clothes," and continued to wear her Medal of Honor even after it was controversially revoked (and later posthumously reinstated). Dr. Mary Edwards Walker died in 1919 at the age of 86.

Two Mary Walkers, Two Legacies

Understanding that there were two notable women named Mary Walker is crucial to resolving the 121-year-old mystery. The longevity claim belongs to Mary Hardway Walker, the former slave who learned to read as an elderly woman, while the legacy of Civil War service and the Medal of Honor belongs to Dr. Mary Edwards Walker. Their shared name has been the source of confusion for many.

A Comparison of the Two Mary Walkers

Attribute	Mary Hardway Walker	Dr. Mary Edwards Walker
Birthplace	Union Springs, Alabama	Oswego, New York
Dates	c. 1848–1969	1832–1919
Noted Achievement	Learning to read at age 116	Civil War surgeon, Medal of Honor recipient
Age Claim	Lived to be 121, but unverified	Died at age 86
Background	Born into slavery	Abolitionist family, medical doctor
Legacy Focus	Perseverance, lifelong learning	Women's rights, battlefield medicine

Frequently Asked Questions

Was Mary Walker the oldest person ever?

No, while one Mary Walker was reportedly 121, the oldest person ever was Jeanne Calment of France, who lived to be 122 years and 164 days old. The 121-year lifespan of Mary Hardway Walker is widely cited but not officially verified by gerontology experts due to a lack of official records.

Did Mary Walker receive the Medal of Honor?

A Mary Walker did receive the Medal of Honor, but it was Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, the Civil War surgeon, not Mary Hardway Walker, the former slave. Dr. Mary Edwards Walker is the only woman to have ever been awarded the Medal of Honor.

What did Mary Hardway Walker do that made her famous?

Mary Hardway Walker gained recognition in 1963, when at the purported age of 116, she enrolled in a literacy class in Chattanooga and learned to read for the first time. This inspiring act earned her the title of America's oldest student.

Why is there confusion surrounding the two Mary Walkers?

The confusion stems from the fact that two prominent figures with the name Mary Walker existed in American history. One, a Civil War surgeon, and the other, a former slave known for her longevity claim. Their shared name, coupled with their remarkable but different achievements, often leads to their stories being conflated.

Is there proof that Mary Hardway Walker was 121?

There is no definitive proof to verify Mary Hardway Walker's 121-year lifespan. This is largely due to the unreliable nature of records for formerly enslaved individuals born before the Civil War. Her longevity claim is widely reported but considered unverified by official centenarian research groups.

What was Dr. Mary Edwards Walker's occupation?

Dr. Mary Edwards Walker was a surgeon, abolitionist, and women's rights advocate. She served as a contract surgeon with the Union Army during the Civil War and was later a prominent lecturer and writer.

What happened to Dr. Mary Edwards Walker's Medal of Honor?

Dr. Walker's Medal of Honor was revoked in 1917, along with those of over 900 other individuals, because Congress changed the criteria for the award. She refused to return it and wore it until her death in 1919. The medal was officially restored posthumously in 1977.