# Elizabeth Garrett Anderson

> English physician and feminist (1836-1917)

**Wikidata**: [Q235464](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q235464)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Garrett_Anderson)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/elizabeth-garrett-anderson

## Summary
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson was an English physician and feminist (1836–1917), best known for becoming the first female physician licensed in the United Kingdom. She founded the London School of Medicine for Women in 1874, which became the first medical school for women in the country, and served as its principal until 1917. Her work challenged gender barriers in medicine and laid the foundation for women's medical education in the UK.

## Biography
- Born: June 9, 1836, in London, United Kingdom
- Nationality: British
- Education: Studied at the London School of Medicine for Women (founded by her) and the Paris Medical Faculty
- Known for: Pioneering women's medical education and advocating for gender equality in medicine
- Employer(s): London School of Medicine for Women (founder and principal), Middlesex Hospital
- Field(s): Medicine, Feminism

## Contributions
- **Founded the London School of Medicine for Women (1874)**: Established as the first medical school for women in the UK, providing education and training for female physicians.
- **Advocated for women's medical education**: Worked to overcome legal and social barriers that prevented women from practicing medicine, securing her own license in 1869.
- **Trained numerous female physicians**: As principal of the London School of Medicine for Women, she trained over 1,000 women in medicine, many of whom became prominent physicians in their own right.
- **Challenged gender norms in medicine**: Her success as a physician in a male-dominated field helped pave the way for future generations of women in medicine.

## FAQs
### What was Elizabeth Garrett Anderson's most significant achievement?
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson became the first female physician licensed in the United Kingdom in 1869, breaking gender barriers in medicine. She also founded the London School of Medicine for Women in 1874, the first medical school for women in the country.

### Where did Elizabeth Garrett Anderson study medicine?
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson studied at the Paris Medical Faculty and later at the London School of Medicine for Women, which she founded. She trained at the Middlesex Hospital, where she gained clinical experience.

### How did Elizabeth Garrett Anderson contribute to women's rights in medicine?
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson challenged the legal and social barriers that prevented women from practicing medicine. She secured her own license in 1869 and founded the London School of Medicine for Women to provide education and training for female physicians.

### What was the London School of Medicine for Women?
The London School of Medicine for Women, founded by Elizabeth Garrett Anderson in 1874, was the first medical school for women in the United Kingdom. It trained over 1,000 women in medicine, many of whom became prominent physicians.

### How did Elizabeth Garrett Anderson influence future generations of female physicians?
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson's work laid the foundation for women's medical education in the UK. Her success as a physician and her establishment of the London School of Medicine for Women inspired future generations of women to pursue careers in medicine.

## Why They Matter
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson's work was pivotal in breaking down gender barriers in medicine. As the first female physician licensed in the UK, she demonstrated that women could excel in a field traditionally dominated by men. Her founding of the London School of Medicine for Women provided education and training for female physicians, many of whom became leaders in their own right. Anderson's advocacy and leadership helped pave the way for future generations of women in medicine, ensuring that women's contributions to healthcare were recognized and valued.

## Notable For
- First female physician licensed in the United Kingdom (1869)
- Founder of the London School of Medicine for Women (1874), the first medical school for women in the UK
- Principal of the London School of Medicine for Women until her death in 1917
- Trained over 1,000 women in medicine, many of whom became prominent physicians
- Advocated for gender equality in medicine, challenging legal and social barriers

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson was born on June 9, 1836, in London, United Kingdom. She studied at the Paris Medical Faculty, where she gained a medical degree, and later at the London School of Medicine for Women, which she founded. She trained at the Middlesex Hospital, gaining clinical experience in a male-dominated field.

### Career and Advocacy
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson became the first female physician licensed in the United Kingdom in 1869, breaking gender barriers in medicine. She founded the London School of Medicine for Women in 1874, the first medical school for women in the country. As principal of the school, she trained over 1,000 women in medicine, many of whom became prominent physicians. Anderson's work challenged the legal and social barriers that prevented women from practicing medicine, ensuring that women's contributions to healthcare were recognized and valued.

### Founding the London School of Medicine for Women
The London School of Medicine for Women, founded by Elizabeth Garrett Anderson in 1874, was the first medical school for women in the United Kingdom. The school provided education and training for female physicians, many of whom became leaders in their own right. Anderson's establishment of the school laid the foundation for women's medical education in the UK, inspiring future generations of women to pursue careers in medicine.

### Influence and Legacy
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson's work had a lasting impact on the field of medicine and women's rights. As the first female physician licensed in the UK, she demonstrated that women could excel in a field traditionally dominated by men. Her founding of the London School of Medicine for Women provided education and training for female physicians, many of whom became prominent leaders in healthcare. Anderson's advocacy and leadership helped pave the way for future generations of women in medicine, ensuring that women's contributions to healthcare were recognized and valued.

### Affiliations and Memberships
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson was affiliated with the London School of Medicine for Women, the Middlesex Hospital, and the British Medical Association. She was a member of the British Medical Association and served as principal of the London School of Medicine for Women until her death in 1917.

### Personal Life and Death
Elizabeth Garrett Anderson died on December 17, 1917, in London, United Kingdom. Her legacy continues to inspire women in medicine and advocates for gender equality in healthcare.

## References

1. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography
2. Who's Who
3. Integrated Authority File
4. Source
5. OBITUARY. The Times. 1907
6. Find a Grave
7. International Standard Name Identifier
8. Virtual International Authority File
9. National Heritage List for England
10. SNAC
11. Base biographique
12. A historical dictionary of British women
13. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
14. Czech National Authority Database
15. Norwegian Authority File: Persons and Corporate Bodies
16. Anderson, Elizabeth
17. FactGrid
18. Catalogo of the National Library of India