Emily Bovell

Emily Bovell (18 August 1841 – 18 December 1885) was a pioneering British physician and one of the first female doctors in the United Kingdom. She was one of the Edinburgh Seven, the first group of matriculated undergraduate female students at any British university.

Early life and education

Emily Bovell was born in London, England, in 1841. She was the daughter of a clergyman and was educated at home by her father. In 1866, she moved to Edinburgh, Scotland, to study medicine at the University of Edinburgh, where she was one of the first women to be admitted.

Career

In 1870, Bovell and the other members of the Edinburgh Seven passed their exams and applied to graduate, but their request was denied by the university court. Despite this setback, Bovell continued to practice medicine and in 1877, she was one of the first women to be registered as a doctor in the UK.

Bovell worked in several hospitals in London and Paris, and in 1885, she opened her own practice in London. She was known for her work in gynecology and obstetrics, and she was a strong advocate for women's rights in the medical profession.

Legacy

Emily Bovell's pioneering work paved the way for future generations of female doctors in the UK. Her determination and perseverance in the face of adversity have made her a role model for women in medicine.

See also

• Edinburgh Seven
• Women in medicine