Pioneers of the London School of Medicine for Women (1874-1947): Their Contributions and Interwoven Lives (Perspectives on the History of Chemistry)

This book presents the pioneering role of the women chemists at the London School of Medicine for Women (LSMW). The account is placed within the framework of the long-forgotten background to the founding of this unique Institution, and the individuals whose lives came together to make it happen: Sophia Jex-Blake; Elizabeth Garrett Anderson; Edith Pechey; and Isabel Thorne. The London School of Medicine for Women (LSMW) was the first School in Britain to enable women to gain medical qualifications. Though its pioneering medical role is beginning to be recognized, the Chemistry Department at the School has been totally overlooked. All first-year students at the LSMW had to spend a significant portion of their time taking theoretical and practical chemistry, taught by dedicated women chemistry instructors. In this book, particular attention is given to each of these exceptionally-talented women chemists who found a haven at, and devoted their lives to, the LSMW. This book also covers the enthusiasm of the women medical students which becomes evident through the chemistry prose and poetry which they wrote. This book will appeal to a wide readership interested in the early role of women in science, and it is particularly relevant to those interested in the lives and contributions of pioneering women chemists. Preface References About This Book Chapter 1: Women as Apothecaries Chapter 2: Women as Pharmacists Chapter 3: Sophia Jex-Blake and Elizabeth Garrett (Anderson) Chapter 4: The Crucial Role of the ‘Edinburgh Seven’ Chapter 5: Edith Pechey Chapter 6: Others of the ‘Edinburgh Seven’ Chapter 7: Women as Lady Doctors Chapter 8: The Founding and Early Years of the LSMW Chapter 9: Pioneer Women of the LSMW Chapter 10: Chemistry at the LSMW Chapter 11: Lucy Everest Boole Chapter 12: Clare de Brereton Evans Chapter 13: Sibyl Taite Widdows Chapter 14: Phyllis Sanderson and Anne Ratcliffe Chapter 15: Other Chemistry Staff Chapter 16: The End of the LSMW Contents About the Authors Abbreviations 1 Women as Apothecaries Society of Apothecaries Apothecaries’ Assistants Commentary References 2 Women as Pharmacists Careers in Pharmacy Pharmacy Examinations The School of Pharmacy Women’s Admission to the Pharmaceutical Society Commentary References 3 Sophia Jex-Blake and Elizabeth Garrett (Anderson) Sophia Jex-Blake Elizabeth Garrett Commentary References 4 The Crucial Role of the ‘Edinburgh Seven’ Edinburgh Ladies Educational Association The Beginning Admission to the University of Edinburgh Professor Crum Brown The Surgeon’s Hall Riot The Final Insult A Plea to the University of St. Andrews A Plea to the House of Commons Commentary References 5 Edith Pechey Early Life The Hope Scholarship Professor Crum Brown The Pechey Outcry Pechey Obtains Formal Qualifications Return to England Commentary References 6 Others of the ‘Edinburgh Seven’ Changes in the Edinburgh Seven Marriage Isabel Pryer (Mrs. Thorne) Matilda Chaplin (Mrs. Chaplin-Ayrton) Helen Carter (Mrs. De Lacy Evans, Later Mrs. Russel) Mary Adamson Anderson (Mrs. Marshall) Emily Bovell (Mrs. Sturge) Commentary References 7 Women as Lady Doctors The Role of Girls’ Magazines Medicine as a Career Option What to Do with Our Girls Effect of the First World War Commentary References 8 The Founding and Early Years of the LSMW The Female Medical Society The Beginnings of the LSMW Access to Hospitals The Programme of Study Who Would Grant Degrees? A Lookback in Time The Final Challenge Building Expansions: 1885–1892 Building Expansions: 1896 to 1900 Departure of Jex-Blake Building Expansions: 1914 to 1916 Commentary References 9 Pioneer Women of the LSMW The First Cohort King and Queen’s College of Physicians in Ireland Alice Ker Edith Shove Ann Elizabeth Clark LSMW Women Doctors and the Empire Isabella (Isa) Johnstone (Mrs. Foggo) Fanny Jane Butler Agnes McLaren Jane Waterston The Pioneer Women of the LSMW as an ‘Invisible College’ Mary Bird (Mrs. Scharlieb) Commentary References 10 Chemistry at the LSMW LSMW Chemistry Facilities LSMW Student Writings on Chemistry LSMW Student Writings on Chemical Accidents LSMW Student Inorganic Chemistry Analysis LSMW Student Practical Organic Chemistry Commentary References 11 Lucy Everest Boole Charles Heaton Boole’s Family History Boole’s Pharmaceutical Career Boole at the LSMW Professional Activities Later Years Commentary References 12 Clare de Brereton Evans Early Life of Clare De Brereton Evans Teaching at CLC Research with Henry Armstrong Teaching at LMSW and Research with Ramsay Professional Activities Later Life Commentary References 13 Sibyl Taite Widdows Early Life Teaching at LSMW Student Verse About Widdows Research Activities Professional Activities Research Studies on Human Lactation Later Years Commentary References 14 Phyllis Sanderson and Anne Ratcliffe Phyllis Sanderson Sanderson’s Later Academic Life Anne Ratcliffe Commentary References 15 Other Chemistry Staff John Addyman Gardner Elsie Forrest Norah Ellen Laycock Yvonne M. D. Cooper May Williams Effie Isabel Cooke (Mrs. Stirling-Taylor) Marjory Wilson-Smith (Mrs. Farmer) Commentary References 16 The End of the LSMW The First World War The Inter-War Years The End of the LSMW An Amnesia of History Should Women Be Admitted to Medical School? And a Final Disappearance References Index