BLACKWELL, ELIZABETR, M.D., a medical practitioner in NewYork, U.S.—the first woman that ever obtained a medical diploma—was h. at Bristol, where her father carried on an extensive business as n sugar-retiner, in the year 1821. Circumstances afterwards induced the family to emigrate to New York, and then to push west to Cincinnati, where, in 1838, the father died, leaving a widow and family of nine children but scantily provided for. 3liss B., who was at this time in her 18th year, and who had already been distinguished by unusual decision of character, immediately, along with two elder sisters, opened a boarding-school, which soon gained a reputation, and had a large attendance. But the spirit of 3liss II. chafed at the limitations which society had imposed on the energies of women, and she often took counsel with her sisters as to the. practicability of storming the ]earned professions, and thus enlarging woman's sphere. At length, in 1844, the school was given up, Miss B. determining to become the medical apostle of her sex. After three years' further work as a salaried teacher, which she undertook in order that she might have the pecuniary means wherewith to prosecute her medical studies, and during which time she devoted the whole of her leisure to the study of medical and anatomical books, she went to Philadelphia. where she applied in vain for admission into the medical schools. Failing this. she entered on a course of private anatomical study and dissection and of midwifery with prof. Allen and Dr. Warrington of Philadelphia. After strenuous efforts, she at last obtained admission to a university—that of Geneva, in New York state—and thither she accordingly repaired in the Nov. of 1847. Here she remained Until Jan., 1849, when she graduated with the himhest honor. During the two years of her study, she conducted herself with a pro priety and discretion that gained for her the esteem and respect of all her fellow-students.
Only once was an insult offered to her. It was in the class-room, and she repelled it with so quiet a dignity as to bring down the applause of the students on herself, and their hisses on her despicable assailant. Jiff presence had a beneficial effect upon the students; her "brilliant example," as the president called it, had stimulated them to grdater effort, and their general conduct and attainments during the sessions she was at college were better than usual. Shortly after her graduation, Miss B. visited Europe, in order to the further prosecution of her medical studies. At Paris, she. was told that it would be impossible for her to gain entrance to the schools or hospitals there, unless she adopted male attire; a suggestion which she refused to act on, as it was alike repugnant to her taste, and to the great object she had in view—viz., the recognition of female doctors. After much perseverance, she was at length admitted into the extensive lying-in hospital of the Material:5, and was permitted to visit other hospitals. After s:udying at bt. Bartholomew's hospital, and the Woman's hospital, London, she returned to 1\ ew York in 1851, and there established herself iu practice. At first difficulties were thrown in her way by physicians of the opposite sex refusing to meet her in consulta tion; but these were soon overcome, and Miss B. was soon established in excellent practice. In 1852, she delivered a series of lectures to ladies on health and physical development; in the following year she published a work, entitled The Laws of Life, considered with _Reference to the Physical Education of Girls, and also established a dispen sary for women and children, which proved so successful that she was induced, in 1857, to open a small hospital for women. Miss B.'s sister, now Dr. Emily B., has followed in the footsteps of Elizabeth.