Med school finally hands out degrees to trailblazing women
The 'Edinburgh Seven' were among the first to study medicine in the UK, enrolling, but never graduating, 150 years ago
Seven women who were among the first in the UK to study medicine have finally been awarded their degrees, 150 years after enrolling at the University of Edinburgh.
Known as the Edinburgh Seven, the women began their studies in 1869, but faced resistance from their male peers — including a riot outside the anatomy exam room — and were not allowed to graduate.
Now, seven current students from the Edinburgh Medical School have accepted the degrees posthumously on behalf of their pioneering forebears.
Led by Sophia Jex-Blake, the Edinburgh Seven included Mary Anderson, Emily Bovell, Matilda Chaplin, Helen Evans, Edith Pechey and Isabel Thorne.
