Enriqueta Favez

Enriqueta Favez

Enriqueta Favez (1791–1856) was a Swiss-born woman who is best known for her work as a surgeon and for living much of her adult life as a man. Her life story is a remarkable example of gender nonconformity and the challenges faced by women in the medical profession during the early 19th century.

Born in Lausanne, Switzerland, Favez was one of the first women to pursue a career in medicine at a time when the field was almost exclusively dominated by men. After her husband's death in the Napoleonic Wars, Favez moved to Paris to study medicine, eventually earning her medical degree. She then moved to Barcelona, Spain, where she began practicing medicine dressed as a man, adopting the name Enrique Favez.

Favez's medical career took her to the Caribbean, where she served as a surgeon in the Cuban military. Her gender identity was discovered in 1819, leading to her arrest and trial by the Catholic Church, which resulted in her being banned from practicing medicine and sentenced to spend the rest of her life in a convent. Despite these challenges, Favez continued to practice medicine in secret until her death in 1856.

The story of Enriqueta Favez challenges contemporary understandings of gender and highlights the obstacles women have historically faced in entering the medical profession. Her life also speaks to the broader themes of identity, resilience, and the pursuit of one's passions against societal norms.

Early Life

Enriqueta Favez was born in 1791 in Lausanne, Switzerland. Little is known about her early life, but it is believed that she was inspired to pursue a career in medicine after the death of her husband in the Napoleonic Wars.

Career

After moving to Paris to study medicine, Favez earned her medical degree and began practicing in Barcelona, Spain. She later moved to the Caribbean, where she served as a surgeon in the Cuban military, dressed as a man.

Trial and Later Life

In 1819, Favez's gender identity was discovered, leading to her arrest and trial by the Catholic Church. She was banned from practicing medicine and sentenced to live in a convent. Despite these restrictions, Favez continued to practice medicine in secret until her death in 1856.

Legacy

Enriqueta Favez's life is a testament to the challenges faced by women in the medical profession and the lengths to which some had to go to pursue their passion for healing. Her story is an early example of gender nonconformity and provides valuable insight into the history of women in medicine.