Elizabeth Fee

American historian of medicine and public health

Dr. Elizabeth Fee

Elizabeth Fee (December 11, 1946 – October 17, 2018) was a prominent historian of medicine and public health. Her work significantly contributed to the understanding of the social and cultural history of medicine, with a particular focus on the history of public health, the history of sexuality, and the history of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Early Life and Education

Elizabeth Fee was born in Northern Ireland and spent her early years in Belfast. Her family moved to Australia when she was a child, where she completed her secondary education. Fee pursued her undergraduate studies at the University of Sydney, where she developed an interest in the history of science and medicine. She later moved to the United States to continue her education, earning a Ph.D. in the history of science from Princeton University.

Academic Career

Fee began her academic career at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, where she joined the faculty of the School of Hygiene and Public Health. During her tenure at Johns Hopkins, she became known for her innovative courses on the history of public health and her mentorship of students in the field.

Contributions to the History of Medicine

Elizabeth Fee's research focused on the intersections of medicine, public health, and society. She was particularly interested in how social and cultural factors influenced medical practices and public health policies. Her work on the history of HIV/AIDS was groundbreaking, as she explored the social stigma and political challenges associated with the epidemic.

Fee also contributed to the understanding of the history of sexuality and its impact on public health. Her research highlighted the role of social movements in shaping health policies and the importance of considering historical context in addressing contemporary health issues.

Publications and Editorial Work

Throughout her career, Fee authored and edited numerous books and articles on the history of medicine and public health. She served as an editor for several academic journals, including the American Journal of Public Health, where she played a key role in shaping the discourse on public health history.

Legacy and Impact

Elizabeth Fee's work has had a lasting impact on the field of medical history. Her interdisciplinary approach and commitment to social justice have inspired a generation of scholars and public health professionals. Fee's contributions continue to influence the way historians and public health practitioners understand the complex relationships between health, society, and policy.

Related Pages

• History of medicine
• Public health
• HIV/AIDS
• History of sexuality