Blackwell, Elizabeth

Physician

(1821-1910)

Born on February 3, 1821 in Bristol, England, Elizabeth Blackwell came to the United States in 1832, settling in New York City. She moved to Cincinnati, however, in 1838, in order to teach in her family‚s boarding school.

In 1842, she went to Henderson, Kentucky to continue teaching, but soon developed an interest in medicine and began reading medical books in her free time. A Charlestown Medical College professor, Dr. Samuel Dickson, tutored her during 1847, and later that year she was admitted to the Geneva Medical School of Western New York. Graduating at the head of her class in 1849, she became the first woman to receive an M. D. degree in modern times.

After pursuing further studies in Paris and London, she returned to New York City in 1851 to start a medical practice; and two years later, she opened a private clinic that became, in 1857, the New York Infirmary. Staffed entirely by women, the hospital grew and offered a full course of medical training in the Woman‚s Medical College of the New York Infirmary.

In 1875, Dr. Blackwell became professor of gynecology at the London School of Medicine for Women and continued to teach and to write on the subject of public health until a disabling accident forced her to retire in 1907. She died in Hastings on May 31, 1910.

Born on February 3, 1821 in Bristol, England, Elizabeth Blackwell came to the United States in 1832, settling in New York City. She moved to Cincinnati, however, in 1838, in order to teach in her family‚s boarding school.

In 1842, she went to Henderson, Kentucky to continue teaching, but soon developed an interest in medicine and began reading medical books in her free time. A Charlestown Medical College professor, Dr. Samuel Dickson, tutored her during 1847, and later that year she was admitted to the Geneva Medical School of Western New York. Graduating at the head of her class in 1849, she became the first woman to receive an M. D. degree in modern times.

After pursuing further studies in Paris and London, she returned to New York City in 1851 to start a medical practice; and two years later, she opened a private clinic that became, in 1857, the New York Infirmary. Staffed entirely by women, the hospital grew and offered a full course of medical training in the Woman‚s Medical College of the New York Infirmary.

In 1875, Dr. Blackwell became professor of gynecology at the London School of Medicine for Women and continued to teach and to write on the subject of public health until a disabling accident forced her to retire in 1907. She died in Hastings on May 31, 1910.