Margaret Todd (doctor)

Margaret Todd (1859–1918) was a Scottish physician and writer. She is best known for coining the term "isotope" in the field of chemistry.

Early life and education[edit | edit source]

Margaret Todd was born in Kilrenny, Scotland in 1859. She received her early education at the Edinburgh Ladies' College, after which she pursued her medical studies at the University of Edinburgh, one of the few institutions that accepted women for medical training at the time.

Medical career[edit | edit source]

After completing her medical studies, Todd worked at the New Hospital for Women in London, where she served under the guidance of Elizabeth Garrett Anderson, the first woman to qualify in Britain as a physician and surgeon. Todd's medical career was marked by her dedication to improving the health and welfare of women.

Writing career[edit | edit source]

In addition to her medical career, Todd was also a successful writer. She wrote several novels under the pseudonym "Graham Travers." Her works often explored the challenges and experiences of women in the medical profession.

Contribution to chemistry[edit | edit source]

Despite her primary profession as a physician, Todd made a significant contribution to the field of chemistry. She is credited with coining the term "isotope" in a conversation with the chemist Frederick Soddy. Soddy was working on the concept of atoms of the same element with different atomic weights, and it was Todd who suggested the term "isotope" to describe these atoms.

Death and legacy[edit | edit source]

Margaret Todd died in 1918. Her legacy lives on in her contributions to medicine and chemistry, and through her novels which provide a unique insight into the experiences of women in the medical profession during her time.