Sophia Jex-Blake

© David Hutchison

Sophia Jex-Blake had been in the US studying medicine but returned to England when her father was ill. She wanted to continue her studies but it was difficult in the UK for females to study medicine. Only Elizabeth Garrett Anderson had managed in 1868 when she had graduated through the Society of Apothecaries, and that loophole was quickly closed. Sofia was initially told that Edinburgh University was amenable but not to just one woman so she got together a group of women and they matriculated in 1869. However after studying for several years the Edinburgh Seven were not allowed to graduate. Sophia then helped to set up the London School of Medicine for Women. She completed her MD in Switzerland and further qualifications in Ireland. She returned to Edinburgh in 1878 and became its first woman doctor.