Mary Ward; naturalist, microscopist and first road traffic accident victim
Born Mary King in 1827, Mary was educated at home by a governess. As a cousin of William, 3rd Earl Rosse, she frequently visited Birr Castle, where she watched the building of his giant telescope and met many of the most eminent men of science of her day. From this unusual upbringing Mary became a noted naturalist, microscopist, astronomer and artist. She published a number of scientific works, and her work on the microscope was reprinted at least 8 times in just over 20 years.
Mary married Henry Ward and had three sons and five daughters by him. She retained her interest in scientific works after marriage, and also her connection with William, Lord Rosse. It was through this connect that Mary Ward achieved a most unwanted accolade, that of the first person to be killed in a road traffic accident.
The accident was recorded in some detail in King's County Chronicle on 1st September 1869
APPALLING ACCIDENT. SUDDEN DEATH OF THE HON. MRS. WARD.On yesterday the people of Parsonstown were much excited and grieved at a sad accident which occurred in the town. In the afternoon of yesterday the Hon. Captain Ward, his wife, the Hon. Mrs. Ward, The Hons. Clare and Charles Parsons, and Mr. Biggs the tutor to the young gentlemen, were on a steam carriage which has been built by Lord Rosse. The vehicle had steam up, and was going at an easy pace, when on turning the sharp corner at the church, unfortunately the Hon. Mrs. Ward was thrown from the seat and fearfully injured, causing her almost immediate death. The unfortunate lady was taken into the house of Dr. Woods which is nearly opposite the scene of the unhappy occurrence, and as that gentleman was on the spot everything that could be done was done, but it was impossible to save her life. The utmost gloom pervades the town, and on every hand sympathy is expressed with the husband and family of the accomplished and talented lady who has been so prematurely hurried into eternity
The article went on to give a detailed account of the coroner's inquest which had been held that morning:
THE INQUEST.
On this day at 10 o'clock John Corcoran, Esq., coroner, held an inquest at the Castle on the body of the Hon. Mrs. Ward …Mr. James Rolleston, J. P. deposed as follows: - On yesterday I left the castle door at the same time that the engine left: the Hon. Randal Parsons walked along with me to the lodge where we overtook it; it went at a moderate pace; we kept near it till it got near the centre of the Mall; we had it in view till it turned the corner of Cumberland-street, near the church; it appeared to me to go slowly round the corner; the noise of the engine ceased shortly after it turned the corner; I saw people running. I do not think the engine was very dangerous; the front wheels from the excellent management gave great stability to the engine; the engine was going about from 31/2 to 4 miles an hour. Dr. Woods deposed, I saw the deceased about two minutes after the accident occurred; she was then merely breathing, with a spasm of the tongue; she died in about one minute after I saw her. Her neck was broken and her jaw bone greatly fractured, she was bleeding a great deal from the ears which showed there was a fracture of the base of the skull: she was a good deal bruised about the face and her lips cut: these injuries were the cause of her death.Without retiring the jury gave in a verdict, that the deceased came to her death by an accidental fall from a steam engine on which she had been riding in the town of Parsonstown on the preceding day. The jury begged to express their sympathy with the Hon. Capt. Ward in his sad bereavement and also that there was no blame attaching to any person in connection with the occurrence."