Louisa Aldrich-Blake

Louisa Aldrich-Blake (1865–1925) was a pioneering British surgeon and the first woman to obtain a Master of Surgery degree in Britain. She is best known for her work in developing new surgical techniques for treating cancers of the cervix and rectum.

Early Life and Education

Louisa Aldrich-Blake was born on 15 August 1865 in Chingford, Essex. She was the daughter of a clergyman, Reverend Frederick Aldrich-Blake. She attended the Cheltenham Ladies' College and later studied at the London School of Medicine for Women, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine degree in 1893.

Career

In 1894, Aldrich-Blake became the first woman in Britain to receive a Master of Surgery degree. She was appointed assistant surgeon at the New Hospital for Women and the London School of Medicine for Women, where she later became a senior surgeon and dean. Aldrich-Blake was known for her innovative surgical techniques, particularly in the treatment of cancers of the cervix and rectum. She also played a significant role in the development of radium as a treatment for cancer.

Legacy

Aldrich-Blake's contributions to medicine have been widely recognized. In 1925, the year of her death, the Royal Free Hospital named a ward in her honor. In 1950, a blue plaque was unveiled at her former residence in Bloomsbury, London. In 2019, Google commemorated her with a Google Doodle on what would have been her 154th birthday.

See Also

• History of Medicine
• Women in Medicine
• Cancer Treatment

References

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