Under the name James Barry, Miranda enrolled at the male-only Edingugh College in Scotland (1809). Marianda qualifed (1812) to become a doctor - Dr James Barry - a name which she maintained till her death.

After qualifiying, and still in the male disguise necessary to study and practice medicine, Miranda, or rather "James" joined the British Army as a medical officer. Miranda was sent to South Africa a year later and gained a reputation as a first-class surgeon. And it was in South Africa that Miranda carried out the first successful ceasarian section (1826) - keep in mind that there were no antiseptics.

As Colonial Medical Inspector at the Cape, Miranda imposed strict control upon apothecaries and the supply of drugs. Miranda also improved the health standards in the gaols and leper colonies. At St Helena, Miranda was court-martialled for a certain over-zealousness in attempting to improve the conditions of women patients in the hospital.

As the strutting, bombastic little doctor, Miranda found herself in a duel and was wounded, but she still managed to conceal her sex. Eventually "Dr James" was promoted to become Inspector-General Surgeon to the British Army. Miranda was in the Crimea for four months when the the British Army was at the nadir of it's medical history. Miranda was the only medical officer with the invective and termerity to reprimand another equally formidable woman in the form of Miss Florence Nightingale (d.1910).

Next Page - Harriet Tubman
Previous Page - Rose Scott

List of Women | Contents | Links | Email Eschiva