Sophia Louisa (Sophia) Jex-Blake (1840–1912)

Physician and campaigner for women’s rights. Trained as a teacher but became interested in medical practice while working as a clerk and nursing assistant at a women’s hospital in Boston, Mass., 1865–8. Attempted to complete a medical degree in Edinburgh, 1869–74. Founded the London School of Medicine for Women in 1874. Following the passage of an Act of Parliament enabling examining bodies to admit women candidates, passed MD, Dublin, 1877. Practised medicine in Edinburgh, 1878–81 and 1883–99. Founded the Edinburgh School of Medicine for Women in 1887.