Isabel Thorne

Matriculation Record, Isabel Thorne, Edinburgh Seven Matriculation Records

Isabel Thorne (1834–1910) was a pioneering figure in the movement for women's education and the medical education of women in the United Kingdom. She played a significant role in the establishment of the London School of Medicine for Women, which was the first medical school in Britain to train women as doctors.

Early Life

Isabel Thorne was born in 1834. Little is known about her early life, including her education, which was typical for women of her time. The lack of educational opportunities for women in fields such as medicine would later become a driving force in her life's work.

Career and Advocacy

In the late 19th century, the medical profession was almost exclusively male, and women faced significant barriers to obtaining medical education and qualifications. Isabel Thorne, alongside other pioneers like Elizabeth Garrett Anderson and Sophia Jex-Blake, was instrumental in challenging these barriers.

Thorne's advocacy for women's medical education was partly inspired by personal experiences. She believed strongly in the need for women doctors, arguing that female patients often preferred to consult with women about health issues, particularly those related to gynecology and obstetrics.

In 1874, Thorne was among the founders of the London School of Medicine for Women, which provided women with the necessary education to pursue careers in medicine. The school faced significant opposition from the medical establishment but eventually succeeded in producing qualified female doctors, thanks in large part to the efforts of Thorne and her colleagues.

Later Life and Legacy

Isabel Thorne continued to be involved in the London School of Medicine for Women throughout her life, serving in various capacities to support the institution and its students. She passed away in 1910, leaving behind a legacy of progress in the field of women's medical education.

Her work helped pave the way for future generations of women in medicine, breaking down barriers and challenging the gender norms of her time. Today, the London School of Medicine for Women is part of the University College London Medical School, continuing Thorne's mission of providing medical education to women.

See Also

• Women in medicine
• Elizabeth Garrett Anderson
• Sophia Jex-Blake
• London School of Medicine for Women