Elizabeth Garrett Anderson

by Jo Manton

First published in 1965. In 1865, a woman first obtained a legal qualification in this country as physician and surgeon. Elizabeth Garrett surprised public opinion by the calm obstinacy with which she fought for her own medical education and that of the young women who followed her.

This full biography is based largely on unpublished material from the hospitals and medical schools where Elizabeth Garrett Anderson worked, and the private papers of the Garrett and Anderson families. This title will be of great interest to history of science students.

Genres: Biography

400 pages, Paperback

First published July 9, 1987

Reviews

[France-Andrée]

What a fascinating woman was Elizabeth Garrett Anderson! The big title are: first woman doctor in UK, first woman Dean of a school, first woman mayor in UK; but so much more. I liked how we saw the struggles and the triumphs, the author is not too gushing, but she gives the dues to her subject and the different people who were in her life. This is an absorbing biography.

The one thing that can be a little weird is when the author compares the then of Mrs. Garrett Anderson to the now [1965], we have taken a lot more steps since 1965.

An excellent biography of a quiet but strong headed woman that opened so many doors for a future we are living now.

[Linda Price]

This book is extremely well written and so interesting and informative especially as I live near Aldeburgh. I couldn’t put it down. It’s a pity she is a somewhat neglected pioneer of women’s rights

[Rhode PVD]

Important topic, carefully researched with lots of quotes from primary source documents...but a bit dry to read. The writing is more factual than fluid.