Painter and teacher, born in Birstall, Yorkshire. In 1943 she won a late-developer’s scholarship to Batley Grammar School. From 1948–50 attended Dewsbury and Batley College of Art, where Robert Lee was an influential teacher, then going to Leeds College of Art, 1950–3, under Richard Macdonald and Tommy Watt. Worked in Batley Library, 1953–5, and as a museum assistant at Bankfield Museum, Halifax, continuing to paint in her spare time, 1955–60. For about the next 30 years Mary Lord taught at venues such as Swarthmore Adult Education Centre, Leeds College of Art and Leeds College of Technology, ceasing in 1991 so as to concentrate on her own painting. Her first important show was at Batley Art Gallery in 1957. Also showed widely in mixed shows such as West Riding Artists, Northern Young Artists, Goosewell Gallery in Menston and in Four Women Artists, at Wakefield City Art Gallery, in 1961.