Mary Harriott Norris

Mary Harriott Norris (March 16, 1848 – September 14, 1918) was an American author and educator.

Born in Boonton, New Jersey to Charles Bryan Norris and Mary Lyon Kerr, she was educated at Vassar College, where she graduated with honor, receiving an A.B. degree in 1870. Two years later in 1872 she was invited back to deliver the annual commencement address to the college. She became a writer of short stories, novels, and educational articles; she edited several works and gave a number of lectures. Norris was a regular contributor to the Boston Journal of Education.

In 1879, she became principal of a private school she founded in New York City, serving at that post until 1891. From 1898–9, she served as Dean of Women at Northwestern University, being the first regularly elected representative to hold that post. Three times she travelled to Europe, visiting Great Britain, Italy, the Scandinavian countries, Netherlands, and Switzerland.