Elizabeth Blackwell

For the botanical illustrator, see Elizabeth Blackwell (illustrator). For the English botanist and mycologist, see Elizabeth Marianne Blackwell.

Elizabeth Blackwell
Born(1821-02-03)3 February 1821
Bristol, England
Died31 May 1910(1910-05-31) (aged 89)
Hastings, England
NationalityBritish and American
EducationGeneva Medical College
Occupation
  • Physician

Elizabeth Blackwell (3 February 1821 – 31 May 1910) was an Anglo-American physician, notable as the first woman to earn a medical degree in the United States, and the first woman on the Medical Register of the General Medical Council for the United Kingdom.[1] Blackwell played an important role in both the United States and the United Kingdom as a social reformer, and was a pioneer in promoting education for women in medicine. Her contributions remain celebrated with the Elizabeth Blackwell Medal, awarded annually to a woman who has made a significant contribution to the promotion of women in medicine.[1]

Blackwell was not initially interested in a career in medicine.[1] She became a schoolteacher in order to support her family. This occupation was seen as suitable for women during the 1800s; however, she soon found it unsuitable for her. Blackwell's interest in medicine was sparked after a friend fell ill and remarked that, had a female doctor cared for her, she might not have suffered so much.[1] Blackwell began applying to medical schools and immediately began to endure the prejudice against her sex that would persist throughout her career. She was rejected from each medical school she applied to, except Geneva Medical College in New York, in which the male students voted in favor of Blackwell's acceptance, albeit as a joke.[2][3] Thus, in 1847, Blackwell became the first woman to attend medical school in the United States.[1]

Blackwell's inaugural thesis on typhoid fever, published in 1849 in the Buffalo Medical Journal and Monthly Review, shortly after she graduated,[4][5] was the first medical article published by a female student from the United States. It portrayed a strong sense of empathy and sensitivity to human suffering, as well as strong advocacy for economic and social justice.[4] This perspective was deemed by the medical community as feminine.[4]

Blackwell founded the New York Infirmary for Women and Children with her sister Emily Blackwell in 1857, and began giving lectures to female audiences on the importance of educating girls.[6] She played a significant role during the American Civil War by organizing nurses, and the Infirmary developed a medical school program for women, providing substantial work with patients (clinical education). Returning to England, she helped found the London School of Medicine for Women in 1874.

  1. ^ a b c d e Boyd, Julia (2013). The Excellent Doctor Blackwell: The Life of the First Woman Physician. Thistle Publishing. ISBN 9781909609785.
  2. ^ Boomer, Lee. "Life Story: Elizabeth Blackwell".
  3. ^ Krasner, Barbara (2018). "Elizabeth Blackwell: Doctor". Cobblestone. 39: 20 – via EBSCO Collection.
  4. ^ a b c Sanes, Samuel (1944). "Elizabeth Blackwell: Her First Medical Publication". Bulletin of the History of Medicine. 16 (1): 83–88. JSTOR 44440963.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Thesis was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "Elizabeth Blackwell, M.D., Consulting Physician, New Hospital For Women". The British Medical Journal. 1 (2581): 1523–1524. 1910. doi:10.1136/bmj.1.2581.1523-b. JSTOR 25291104. S2CID 220006798.