Women Scientists

Elizabeth Garrett Anderson 1836-1917

At a glance:

first British doctor, pioneer physician and campaigner

Elizabeth Garrett Anderson was born in Suffolk, one of ten children. In 1859, she heard a lecture by Elizabeth Blackwell (qv) on medicine as a profession for ladies and resolved to become a doctor. She overcame her father's opposition and entered medical training as a surgical nurse. When she came first in all the exams, her fellow students had her banned from lectures. She was rejected by all British medical schools so studied for an apothecary licence. Although she got it, becoming the first woman qualified in Britain to do so, the Society of Apothecaries then changed the rules so no more women could be licensed. She opened a dispensary for women and child which subsequently became the only teaching hospital to offer courses for women. She learnt French in order to study medicine at the Sorbonne and qualified in 1870. In 1872, she founded the New Hospital for Women, later named after its founded, staffed entirely by women, appointing Elizabeth Blackwell as a professor. In 1873 she came a member of the British Medical Association and remained its only female member for the next 19 years, the BMA having voted like the Apothecaries, to exclude all further women. She was a campaigner for women's rights, particularly for further education. She retired to Suffolk and was the first lady mayor of Aldeburgh.
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson

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Comments

Here is what people are saying about Elizabeth Garrett Anderson:

from jennifer Baker (8:18 21/05/2009)
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson was a true pioneer in her profession and as a nurse and from Suffolk myself - what an inspiration she was to other women

from Sonya Abraham (10:56 07/04/2009)
Carved the path for women to study medicine. I am indebted to her.

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