History

How the UK’s first female doctor worked disguised as a man…

By Laura Manning

ART historian Felicity Herring told the remarkable story of Margaret Anne Bulkley, the UK’s first female doctor, at the November meeting of the Blackmore Vale group of the Somerset and Dorset Family History Society.

Margaret was born into an impoverished family in Cork in 1789 and became the highestranking medical officer in the British Army – but her adult life was one of subterfuge.

None of her many good works could have been achieved without disguising herself as a man and assuming the identity of her uncle in London, the artist James Barry, who died in 1806.

Barry’s estate passed to Margaret’s family and financial affairs were managed by his trustees, as Margaret’s father was dead and the women in his family, according to the norms of the time, were held not capable of doing so.

However, the trustees, including General Francisco de Miranda, Dr Edward Fryer and the Earl of Buchan, recognised and encouraged Margaret in her efforts to support the family.

A madcap scheme was conceived in which Margaret would go to Edinburgh University disguised as a man to read Medicine and, upon graduating, would resume life as a woman and emigrate to Venezuela to help in the General’s proposed rebellion against the Spanish.

But by the time the ‘new’ James Barry had completed the course, the General was languishing in a Spanish jail and other prominent initiators of the scheme were dead.

After a successful time in Edinburgh, where she was hailed a ‘boy genius’, Margaret decided to continue her life as James Barry and enlisted in the Army in 1813. It was impossible for her to use her newly acquired skills while living as a woman in the UK.

Postings in England and abroad followed, including spells in South Africa, Mauritius, Jamaica and Canada, and Barry rose steadily through the ranks.

The general treatment of patients, especially in terms of sanitation and cleanliness in hospitals, saw a marked improvement wherever Barry was posted.

By all accounts, Barry was not particularly liked by the other Army personnel but his slight stature and high voice were accepted, along with other ‘eccentricities’, as he was both vegetarian and teetotal.

He also had a reputation for being gruff and argumentative with other officers – probably techniques to avoid too much personal contact with men.

While in Cape Town, Barry performed the first ever successful Caesarean section on a pregnant woman – both mother and baby survived. Barry also survived a duel – and, thankfully, so did his opponent. In later life, he was presented to Queen Victoria as a prominent surgeon – an incredible journey from Barry’s early life as a probable teenage rape victim in Cork. Despite strict instructions that when he died he should be immediately wrapped in his bed sheets and buried, the char woman took it upon herself to wash the body and prepare it in the traditional way.

The woman, when she was not paid for her work, told Barry’s physician and other top Army personnel that Barry was undoubtedly a woman and asked for hush money.

The British Army hierarchy was shocked and horrified in case the matter should become general knowledge – and put all documents relating to Barry’s career under lock and key for 100 years. The full story therefore only emerged in 1965.

This was a fascinating story – and it was vividly brought to life by many contemporary paintings and pictures showing an insight into Margaret’s colourful life.

n The Blackmore Vale Family History Group is now taking a winter break – and hoping that more fascinating family stories will emerge from private research. Contact blackmorevalegroup@gmail. com to receive details of the spring 2023 programme.

James Barry in the 1820s (above) and Army surgeon (left)