Elizabeth Garrett Anderson

Elizabeth Garrett Anderson (pronounced: /ɪˈlɪzəbɛθ ˈɡærɪt ˈændərsən/) was a pioneering British physician and suffragist, and the first woman to qualify in Britain as a physician and surgeon.

Etymology

The name Elizabeth is of Hebrew origin and means "God is my oath". Garrett is a surname of Germanic origin meaning "spear strength". Anderson is a patronymic surname meaning "son of Andrew", derived from the Greek name Andreas, meaning "manly".

Early Life and Education

Elizabeth Garrett was born on 9 June 1836 in Whitechapel, London, to Newson Garrett, a pawnbroker, and his wife, Louisa. She was initially educated at home, and later attended a boarding school in Blackheath.

Career

In 1859, Garrett began working as a nursing assistant at the Middlesex Hospital in London. Despite facing opposition due to her gender, she was eventually admitted to the study of medicine at the Society of Apothecaries. In 1865, she passed the Society's examination and obtained a certificate which enabled her to become a doctor.

Legacy

Garrett Anderson's work paved the way for women's medical education in Britain. She co-founded the New Hospital for Women in London (later renamed the Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Hospital) and the London School of Medicine for Women, where she served as a lecturer.

Related Terms

• Women's suffrage
• Medicine
• Surgery
• Physician
• Nursing
• Hospital
• Education

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Elizabeth Garrett Anderson
• Wikipedia's article - Elizabeth Garrett Anderson

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