Mason's annotated translations of Plato's dialogues in everyday English were published anonymously by
Charles Scribner's Sons beginning in 1879, with a book titled
Socrates that included translations of the
Apology,
Crito, and parts of
Phaedo. The book also included an introduction by
William Watson Goodwin, professor of Greek at
Harvard University. This book was followed by
A Day in Athens With Socrates (1883; includes translations from
Protagoras and
The Republic),
Talks with Socrates About Life (1886;
Gorgias and
The Republic), and
Talks with Athenian Youths (1891;
Charmides,
Lysis,
Laches,
Euthydemus, and
Theaetetus). Although her name did not appear on the title pages of any of these books, her identity as the translator was known to librarians by 1880. Her translations of Plato inspired
Jo Walton to include her as a character renamed Aristomache in her novel
The Just City, where she has been transported to an experimental community based on Plato's Republic. Walton writes in an author's note that Mason's life "is like a type-example of how difficult it was for women to lead a life of the mind" in her day. == Personal life and organizational work==