Clara M. Sainsbury Shannon (1858-1930) was born and died in England. She emigrated to Montreal, Quebec, Canada with her family in 1873 and worked as a trained concert singer. After reading Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, Shannon wrote to Mary Baker Eddy and was invited to attend her 1888 Primary class at the Massachusetts Metaphysical College. She also completed Eddy's Normal class in 1889, received her C.S.D. degree, and taught her first class in June 1889 in Montreal. That same year, she founded and was principal of the Montreal Institute of Christian Science for several years. She joined The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, Massachusetts, on October 5, 1892. In September 1894, she joined Eddy's household at Pleasant View, where she served for almost a decade before returning to England in 1903, continuing to practice and teach Christian Science until her death. Shannon was listed as a practitioner in the directory of The Christian Science Journal from 1889 until her passing. Her unpublished memoir titled "Golden Memories" is based on her diary and includes her reminiscences concerning Mary Baker Eddy.

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