Elizabeth Blackwell was born on 3rd February, 1821.
The family emigrated to The United States where Elizabeth became interested in the topic of medicine.
At that time there were no women doctors in the United States but Elizabeth argued that many women would prefer to consult with a woman rather than a man about her health problems. She was rejected by 29 medical schools before being accepted by Geneva Medical School in 1847.
Elizabeth moved to Europe where she took a midwives' course at La Maternite in Paris. While in France she contracted purulent ophthalma from a baby she was treating. As a result of this infection she lost the sight of one eye. Elizabeth now had to abandon her plans to become a surgeon.
In October, 1850, Elizabeth moved to England where she worked under Dr. James Paget at St. Bartholomew's Hospital. It was here that she met and became friends with Florence Nightingale and Elizabeth Garrett Anderson. Both these women were inspired by Elizabeth's success and became pioneers in women's medicine in Britain.
Elizabeth returned to the United States in 1851 where she continued to flourish in her medical activities, involving herself in the New York Infirmary for Women and also the Women's Central Association of Relief. This involved the selection and training of nurses for service in the American Civil War. Blackwell, also played an important role in the development of the United States Sanitary Commission.
In 1875 Elizabeth Garrett Anderson invited Blackwell to became professor of gynaecology at the London School of Medicine for Children. She remained in this post until she had a serious fall in 1907. Elizabeth Blackwell died in Hastings, Sussex, on 31st May 1910.
Elizabeth Garrett-Anderson became the first woman doctor to qualify in Britain in 1865. Whilst training at The London Hospital she suggested that its medical college should admit women in 1878.
The London Independent Hospital has always maintained close links with doctors and surgeons from Barts and The London NHS Trust – it is less than a mile to The Royal London Hospital. Many of the lady doctors featured on this site either work for or have trained for this Trust, maintaining the strong links between The London Independent Hospital, Barts and The London NHS Trust and the position of female doctors in medical history.
This website, is also probably another first – the first time that a large group of female doctors, practising at the same Hospital, have been brought together in a web site format.
From the 19th to the 21st Centuries, therefore, female doctors working in the City and East End of London have been at the forefront of medical advancement. Long may it continue!
