Lilian Violet Cooper

Australian medical doctor and surgeon

Lilian Violet Cooper (11 August 1861 – 18 August 1947) was a pioneering Australian medical doctor and surgeon. She was the first female doctor registered in Queensland, Australia, and made significant contributions to the field of medicine, particularly during World War I.

Early life and education

Lilian Violet Cooper was born on 11 August 1861 in Clifton, Bristol, England. She was the daughter of Henry Fallowfield Cooper, a merchant, and his wife Elizabeth. Cooper was educated at Clifton High School and later attended the London School of Medicine for Women, where she graduated in 1890. She was one of the early female graduates in medicine, a field that was predominantly male at the time.

Career

Move to Australia

In 1891, Cooper emigrated to Australia with her lifelong companion, Josephine Bedford. They settled in Brisbane, Queensland, where Cooper became the first registered female doctor in the state. She began her practice in Wickham Terrace, Brisbane, and quickly gained a reputation for her skill and dedication.

Medical practice

Cooper specialized in surgery, a field that was particularly challenging for women at the time. She was known for her expertise in abdominal surgery and was one of the few female surgeons in Australia. Her practice was successful, and she became a respected member of the medical community in Brisbane.

World War I

Dr. Lilian Violet Cooper

During World War I, Cooper served with the Scottish Women's Hospitals for Foreign Service, an organization that provided medical care to soldiers on the front lines. She worked in Serbia and was awarded the Order of St. Sava for her services. Her work during the war was highly regarded, and she was recognized for her bravery and dedication.

Later life and legacy

After the war, Cooper returned to Brisbane and continued her medical practice. She was involved in various medical organizations and was a founding member of the Queensland Medical Women's Society. Cooper retired in 1926 but remained active in the community.

Cooper passed away on 18 August 1947 in Kangaroo Point, Queensland. Her contributions to medicine and her pioneering role as a female doctor in Australia have left a lasting legacy.

Honors and recognition

Order of St. Sava ribbon bar

Cooper was awarded the Order of St. Sava by the Serbian government for her medical services during World War I. In recognition of her contributions, the Lilian Cooper Medical Centre in Brisbane was named in her honor.

Related pages

• Women in medicine
• History of medicine in Australia
• Scottish Women's Hospitals for Foreign Service

External links

• Queensland Government: Lilian Cooper