Eliza Walker Dunbar

Scottish physician and medical pioneer

Eliza Louisa Walker Dunbar (1845 – 1925) was a pioneering Scottish physician known for her contributions to medicine and her role in advancing the position of women in the medical profession. She was one of the first women to qualify as a doctor in the United Kingdom and played a significant role in the establishment of medical facilities for women and children.

Early Life and Education

Eliza Walker Dunbar was born in 1845 in Aberdeen, Scotland. She was the daughter of a prominent family, which supported her educational pursuits. From a young age, Eliza showed a keen interest in the sciences, particularly in medicine, which was an unusual field for women at the time.

In pursuit of her medical education, Eliza moved to Switzerland to study at the University of Zurich, one of the few universities that admitted women. She graduated with a medical degree in 1870, becoming one of the first women to do so.

Eliza Walker at Zurich, c. 1870

Medical Career

Upon returning to the United Kingdom, Eliza faced significant challenges due to the prevailing gender biases in the medical profession. Despite these obstacles, she persevered and became one of the first women to be registered as a doctor in the UK.

Eliza Walker Dunbar was instrumental in the establishment of the Hospital for Sick Children, Bristol, where she worked tirelessly to improve the health and welfare of children. Her work at the hospital was groundbreaking, as she introduced new methods of treatment and care.

Hospital for Sick Children, Bristol

Contributions to Women's Health

Eliza was a strong advocate for women's health and was involved in the founding of the Read Dispensary in 1907, a facility dedicated to providing medical care to women and children. The dispensary was a significant step forward in making healthcare accessible to women, who were often underserved by the medical community.

Read Dispensary, 1907

Read Dispensary interior, 1907

Legacy

Eliza Walker Dunbar's contributions to medicine and her advocacy for women in the medical profession have left a lasting impact. She is remembered as a trailblazer who broke down barriers for women in medicine and improved healthcare for women and children.

Eliza Louisa Walker Dunbar

Eliza L. Walker Dunbar

Related Pages

• Women in medicine
• History of medicine
• University of Zurich
• Hospital for Sick Children, Bristol