Lilian Whiting (1847-1942) was born in Niagara Falls, New York, and died in Boston, Massachusetts. She was a journalist and author who interviewed Mary Baker Eddy in June 1885. The interview took place at the Massachusetts Metaphysical College in Boston and it was published in the July 5 issue of the Cleveland Leader and Morning Herald. This interview marked the beginning of a friendship that lasted over two decades. Over her career, Whiting worked for several newspapers, including the Cincinnati Commercial, Boston Evening Traveller and the Boston Budget. After travelling around Europe, she embarked on a prolific career as an author. Her works include: The Florence of Landor (1900), Boston Days (1902), and The Life Radiant (1903). In 1906, Whiting offered to write a biography of Eddy and Eddy respectfully declined the offer. Whiting did not become a Christian Scientist, but she held Eddy in high regard, recalling in a 1919 interview that, "It was my happy fortune to know Mrs. Eddy personally."

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