Anderson, Elizabeth Garrett

Anderson, Elizabeth Garrett (1836-1917), doctor, b. London.

In Elizabeth Garrett Anderson's time, it was not considered proper for a woman to work unless she belonged to a poor family. Yet she decided to become a doctor.

At this time, there was only one woman doctor in the world, Elizabeth Blackwell, and she had become a doctor in the United States.

There was no proper way in England for a woman to study to be a doctor. So Elizabeth obtained a job as a nurse. She went to lectures wherever she could, some doctors gave her private lessons and, after five years, she passed examinations and became the first woman doctor in England. Afterwards she started a clinic for poor women and children in Marylebone, London. This has grown into the present Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital.

She also helped to start a medical school for women and this became part of London University.

In 1908 she was made mayor of Aldeburgh, Suffolk - the first woman mayor in England.

See M. ST. j. FANCOURT They Dared to be Doctors. jo MANTON Elizabeth Garrett Anderson