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Mary Dorothy Edwards (1909 – 1995) was a New Zealand architect.

Early Life
She was born in Auckland but moved to Southern Rhodesia as a child where her father was an Engineer on the Gold Mines. Following an unfortunate mining accident her father passed away. Mary Edwards and her family then returned to New Zealand, settling in Dunedin as the Great Depression hit.

Education
Mary Dorothy Edwards was able to study due to money left to her and her brother after their father's passing. Due to the Great Depression they could not afford to have both children studying simultaneously, therefore Edwards' turn to study came in 1932 where she enrolled in a Bachelor of Architectural Studies at the University of Auckland.

While at the University of Auckland Edwards won the Amalgamated Brick Prize in 1934.

Edwards graduated from the University of Auckland in 1939. She was the third female to obtain a degree in architecture from the University.

Career
That same year World War 2 began and she joined the Public Works Department in Auckland. Becoming heavily involved in designing gun barracks and other war related projects throughout the war effort. Following World War 2 Mary Edwards was granted an honorary lifetime registration with the RIBA.

Mary spent a further 4 years with the Public Works Department working on social housing projects.

In 1954 Mary left Government practice to work in the Private Sector for well known Auckland Architecture firm Gummer & Ford. For the remainder of her career Mary worked for the Auckland Education Board, the Housing Corporation and then returned to the newly renamed, Ministry of Works (previously Public Works Department.)

Retirement
Edwards died in 1995 following her retirement to Nelson in 1974.

Notable Projects
1940 - Barrack G & H at Devonport

1941 - Bomb Stores at Birkenhead

1942 - Dental Block

1942 - Timekeepers Office

1943 - YMCA

1944 - Male Block T, Middlemore Hospital

1950s - House on Rangitoto

1960s - Two Classrooms, Whangarei

- 2 Bedroom Flats