Sophia Jex-Blake: A Woman Pioneer in Nineteenth Century Medical Reform (The Wellcome Institute Series in the History of Medicine)

Sophia Jex-Blake led the campaign that won for British women the right to enter the medical profession. Before taking up this cause she had studied women's education in England, Germany and the United states, and rejected the popular contemporary view that higher education would be wasted on women. Her medical crusade in Britain resulted in women's rights to professional careers and financial independence being more widely accepted. After years of extensive lobbying, she founded the London School of Medicine for Women in 1874 and two years later, largely due to her efforts, legislation was passed enabling women to take qualifying examinations in medicine. Shirley Roberts shows Sophia Jex-Blake to have been a determined and resourceful pioneer, skilful in winning over both public and political opinion. But she was also an impetuous and at times tactless woman, who could provoke hostility, as well as loyalty. Sophia Jex-Blake is a fascinating account of one woman's struggle for equality. The Opening Up Of The British Medical Profession To Women Was Largely Due To Sophia Jex-blake. As A Result Of Her Crusade, Women's Rights To Higher Education, Professional Careers And Financial Independence Were More Generally Accepted. In This First Modern Biography Of Sophia Jex-blake, Shirley Roberts Charts The Career Of This Important Pioneer. Her Dedication To The Cause Of Women In Medicine Began When She Met Two Leading Women Doctors In The United States - Lucy Sewall And Elizabeth Blackwell. On Returning To Great Britain, She Embarked On A Five-year Battle With The Authorities Of The University Of Edinburgh For The Right Of Women To Take Examinations For Medical Degrees. Later, Her Campaign Through The Law Courts And In Parliament Won Increasing Public Support, And Was Instrumental In Two Key Developments: The Passing Of Legislation Allowing Women Access To Medical Training, And The Foundation Of The London School Of Medicine For Women. She Became Scotland's First Woman Doctor, Conducting Her Own Successful Medical Practice In Edinburgh, But The Medical School For Women Which She Founded In 1874 Collapsed In A Chaos Of Acrimony Ten Years Later. Unfortunately, After Her Death Most Of Her Private Papers Were Destroyed By Her Companion, Margaret Todd. However, Shirley Roberts' Account Reveals A Woman Of Great Courage And Intelligence, Though One Who Was Also A Controversial Figure, Whose Determination And Tenacity Provoked Hostility From Some. Sophia Jex-blake Is A Fascinating Account Of One Woman's Struggle For Equality. Shirley Roberts. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 192-194) And Index. Book Cover......Page 1 Half-Title......Page 3 Series-Title......Page 4 Title......Page 6 Copyright......Page 7 Contents......Page 8 Illustrations......Page 9 Acknowledgements......Page 10 Table of events......Page 11 Introduction......Page 14 1 Childhood in Sussex......Page 18 2 The student in London......Page 31 3 The student abroad......Page 44 4 A change of direction......Page 56 5 The Edinburgh campaign begins......Page 84 6 A disputed prize and a students’ riot......Page 95 7 The battle moves to the law courts......Page 108 8 The end of the Edinburgh campaign......Page 126 9 ‘The time for a reform has come’......Page 138 10 The years in practice......Page 160 11 The return to Sussex......Page 184 Bibliography......Page 188 Index......Page 191 In this first modern biography of Sophia Jex-Blake, Shirley Roberts charts the career of the woman who led the campaign for British women to enter the medical profession. A fascinating account of one woman's struggle for equality.