FOLLOWING BIOGRAPHY ON BACK OF PLATE:

Mary Burnett Talbert was born at Oberlin, Ohio, in 1866, her father's family having gone there from Chapel Hill, N. C. She is descended on her maternal side from Richard Nichols, who Compelled Peter Stuyvesant to surrender New Amsterdam and who for a short while was Governor of the State of New York. She graduated at the early age of sixteen from the Oberlin High School, and through the generosity of Ex-President James H. Fairchild was enabled to attend Oberlin College. When applying for admission to the class in trigonometry, the instructor doubtfully admitted her, as so many of the High School pupils had found the subject very hard and preferred a review of other mathematics. She entered the class, however, on trial, and made a term's record of 5 per cent, with an examination of 5.5 per cent, 6 per cent being the highest mark for lessons in college. During the next term she entered the class of mechanics, and made a perfect record for term's work and examination. While attending school she was well liked by her classmates being made Treasurer of Aeolian, one of the two college societies for young women: and was also one of six representatives chosen for Class Day Exercises. She was given the place of honor upon the programme, and recited an original poem, "The Lament of the Old College Bell, Once First, Now Second." Mrs. Talbert graduated from Oberlin at the early age of nineteen, being the only colored member of her class after the withdrawal of the late Lieutenant John Alexander. She started out in life equipped not only with a great love of learning but with all the encouragement which made it possible for her to follow the inclinations of her mind. In 1886 she accepted a position in Bethel University, Little Rock, Ark. Some women make themselves teachers, but Mrs. Talbert was a born teacher. The late Professor John M. Ellis, In writing of her, said: "She is a lady of Christian character and pleasing address. As a student she has an excellent record and standing In her class, showing good abilities and Industry and fidelity in her work. She has the qualities natural and acquired to make a superior teacher." In January, 1887, she was elected Assistant Principal of the Little Rock High School, the highest position held by any woman in the State of Arkansas, and the only colored woman who has ever held the position. Mrs. Talbert resigned her place after her marriage to Mr. William H. Talbert, one of Bufralo's leading colored young men, and was urged after marriage to reconsider her resignation and take up her work again. Leading educators and literary men, such as Charles Dudley Warner, Samuel A. Greene of Boston, L . S. Holden of St. Louis, and others who visited her classes, and, having seen them at work, registered their names with written comments. Professor Albert A. Wright of Oberlin writes as follows: "Mary Burnett received her education In the public schools and college of this place, where her parents have resided for many years. She has won the respect and approval of her teachers by her successful accomplishments of the tasks set before her." Mrs. Talbert received the degree granted to students of the Literary Course In 1894, and is a member of the Association of Collegiate Alumnae, being the only colored woman in the city of Buffalo eligible.