Book Review: The Edinburgh Seven

 

The Edinburgh Seven

The Story of the First Women to Study Medicine

by Ms Janey Jones

Pub Date 30 Apr 2023 

 Pen & Sword,  Pen & Sword History

 Biographies & Memoirs  |  History  |  Nonfiction (Adult) 

I am reviewing a copy of The Edinburgh Seven through Pen & Sword , Pen & Sword History:

Women have been healing since the beginning of time, but accessing a proper  medical degree was impossible for them in Britain until the late 19th century. In 1869, a group of women began arriving in Edinburgh to study at the medical faculty, led by the indomitable Sophia Jex Blake. They would come to be know as The Edinburgh Seven.  They were delighted to become students of medicine and as Sophia said, they simply wanted 'a fair field and no favor.

Unfortunately not all of the traditional professors of the University approved of women becoming doctors.  The medical women would soon discover that they were welcome as hobbyists but not as competitors with male students. There were legal wrangles, court cases, personal attacks and even a full blown riot - all because some male medics wanted rid of the women. And the women did leave Edinburgh - without degrees. But they finished their studies in mainland Europe and came back as fully fledged doctors.

It wasn't until 2019, that all Seven women receive their degrees posthumously via current day medical students. At last, the right thing was done, but the struggles of the original Seven should never be forgotten. This is their story.

I am reviewing a copy of The Edinburgh Seven five out of five stars!

Happy Reading!