Sophia Jex Blake

Sophia struggled against parental disapproval to be educated at all. She did so weel that she was offered a teaching post in mathematics. She later went to Germany and then studied medicine for two years in the US. She tried to continue her studies in Edinburgh but was denied a place as a women were not allowed to study medicine, in fact the men rioted to keep her out.

She and others took the matter to court in 1872, the court found in favour of the seven applicants, but the court of session overturned the ruling. It took an act of Parliament in 1873 to clear the way.

She completed her studies in Switzerland.

She founded the London School of Medicine for Women then back to Edinburgh and set up a practice at 4 Manor Place where she stayed for 20 years.

In 1886 she set up and became Dean of the Women’s Medical College in Surgeon’s Square and helped found the Edinburgh Hospital for Women and sick children (later the Bruntsfield Hospital) at High School Yards.

She is buried in Chambers Aisle in St Giles - away from the other Medics in the North Choir Aisle, reportedly as a consequence of her dislike of Elsie Inglis.

Link to short biography and to struggle for women to enter medicine

link to women’s hour comment