Anderson , Elizabeth , Garrett , 1836-1917 x Garrett Anderson

A pioneer of women's rights in medicine and of the suffrage movement, Elizabeth Garrett Anderson achieved an impressive list of 'firsts'. She was the first woman to obtain a medical qualification in Britain, founder of the first hospital staffed by women doctors, the first woman Dean of a medical school and Britain's first woman Mayor. Elizabeth became the first woman doctor to qualify in Britain when she passed the examination of the Society of Apothecaries in 1865. The Society tried to prevent her admission to the examination, but found it could not legally exclude her. Embarrassed at having to pass a woman, the examiners conferred after the examination and agreed it was a mercy they did not have to arrange the pass list in order of merit, as Elizabeth would have been first, and as soon as Elizabeth had qualified, the Society amended its charter to exclude women. In 1866, Elizabeth began medical work among the poor women and children of Marylebone, London, and this led to the founding of the New Hospital for Women. The hospital was renamed the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital after the death of its founder in 1917.

Elizabeth Garrett Anderson was Dean of the London School of Medicine for Women for twenty years (1883-1903) and, during this time, the School was rebuilt and became recognised as part of the University of London. Elizabeth also consolidated the association between the School and the Royal Free Hospital and in 1896, the School was renamed the London (Royal Free Hospital) School of Medicine for Women. Elizabeth Garrett Anderson was Mayor of her home town of Aldeburgh for two years. During her term in office she carried out many social improvements, including the introduction of a water supply and paving the streets. However, she was not re-elected in 1910 because of her prominence in women's suffrage. Her prominence was such that when Mrs Pankhurst presented a deputation to the Prime Minister, she chose Elizabeth Garrett Anderson to accompany her. Elizabeth Garrett Anderson died in 1917, almost unnoticed by a world caught up in war.