Mary Elizabeth Lease (1853-1933) was an American lecturer, writer, and political activist. She was born to Joseph P. and Mary Elizabeth (Murray) Clyens, in Ridgway, Pennsylvania. In 1895, she wrote The Problem of Civilization Solved, and in 1896, she moved to New York City where she edited the democratic newspaper, World. In addition, she worked as an editor for the National Encyclopedia of American Biography. Lease died in Callicoon, New York.
