Dr James Barry x
Last week I was very fortunate to visit The Old Operating Theatre Museum and Herb Garret just by London Bridge with the wonderful Julie from Vintage Attitude. Hidden away, up a steep spiral staircase and nestled in the dark timbers of the attic of an old church the museum is caught in a sleepy, rather delicious time warp.
It was part of St Thomas’s hospital – a hospital that was described as ancient way back in 1215…
On one side is the herb garret and apothecary. And on the other – the oldest surviving operating theatre in Europe.
What stories these walls could tell.
But what really caught my eye was this picture of James (Miranda) Barry, an amazing woman who overcame the general prohibition on women studying Medicine by disguising herself as a man to become the first female British surgeon. Barry qualified in Medicine in 1812 and went onto train as a surgeon at St. Thomas’s. In January 1813, she qualified as a Regimental Surgeon at the Royal College of Surgeons and over the next fifty years she rose through the ranks to become Inspector General of the Hospitals in the British Army. No mean feat – and she must’ve been good because in Cape Town in 1826 this vegetarian, teetotalling surgeon performed the first documented successful Caesarean Section where both mother and baby survived. Barry even met Florence Nightingale during the Crimean War, who noted in her memoirs:
‘He kept me standing in the midst of quite a crowd of soldiers, Commissariat, servants, camp followers etc every one of who behaved like a gentlemen during the scolding I received while (she) behaved like a brute…After he was dead, I was told that (she) was a woman..I should say that (she) was the most hardened creature I ever met.’
Barry spent most of her laters years with her constant companion and manservant John (in the picture with her above) and it was only on her deathbed that she was finally discovered to be a woman. Barry was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery in London in 1865.
What a truly remarkable human being with an incredible story of which this must only be the very tip of the iceberg..an unsung heroine who surely should at the very least share the same historical podium as Florence Nightingale?…I am desperate to know more and now feel compelled to visit Kensal Green Cemetery to find her grave…I can’t help but wonder which name is on her headstone?…and what it might say?
Laters, Kate x
Maison Bentley Style 
Such a great story…we should know more of her. A true role model for young girls….and no selfies or twerking involved!!
Although from what I have read..she was partial to the odd duel! xxx
My kinda woman!
I love the Old Operating Theatre – saw a play there a couple of years ago but had no idea of this fascinating story. So many questions? Did her family know? Did she live as a man to study medicine or before that? Being vegetarian would probably have been the biggest shock! I’m now going to google away – thanks for sharing this! x
From the brief foray I’ve done her family came from Ireland and did know. Since her death there’s been a question mark over whether she could’ve been a hermaphrodite but I suspect (who knows though) that this rumour was started to cover the fact that no-one had ever suspected xxx
So intriguing! X
This is such a poignant story. What an incredible (wo)man ! xxxxx
The journeys she must’ve taken..the situations she must’ve been in..and no-one ever suspected..incredible! xxx
What a lovely post. Can I reblog it? I have to go there and see it, your pictures are lovely. Xx
But of course! I can’t think of a better Blog to have it re-blogged on! xxx
I never knew we had such a heroine! Why didn’t we know about her? Thank you for the story (^-^) xxx
Fancy a trip to the cemetery to do a treasure hunt?? xxx
When do you wanna do it? xxx
Next week? I’ll send you a mail… xxx
That’s insane! To hide your sex for your entire life so you can practice medicine? Talk about a calling! I’d love to see a movie about this. Did you happen to see Albert Dodds-I think it was called. With Glenn Close? About the woman who was a butler. Fascinating to see the operating theatre. And frightening…that seems like an awfully SHORT table! Were one’s legs just left dangling off the table?
This operating theatre was just for women….might explain table! Not seen Glenn Close film but now very curious…and apparently in Canada Dr Barry was dramatised in a series by CHCH hosted by Pierre Berton… xxx
That was one of my favorite films last year (year before?) The idea of being operated on ‘back then’ just gives me the willies! They didn’t even commonly use anesthesia until the mid-1800’s. Argh! Must look for series. Sounds great.
Interesting story! The operating theater looks scary 🙂 Not too sterile 😦 probably alot of women had to dress up as men to do things they wanted to but were not allowed to just because they were women 😦
The place is fascinating – particularly reading up on some of the cases and how they were treated..you really were pretty lucky to survive xxx
Reblogged this on Knife before wife before life and commented:
One of my WordPress friends has written this lovely post about her recent visit to Tower Bridge where she found out rather a lot about James Barry, who is a heroine of mine, obviously. It looks like a great day out in London, and is as always for Kate a beautifully illustrated and interesting post. Xx
I really recommend going to one of their ‘events’ – or one of the talk given at 2.00 on a Sat or Sun! xxx
Wow, fascinating story. And the photos are so chilling but beautiful too. Must have been a really memorable visit xo
The place is a bit like walking around a Harry Potter set..you’re in the middle of the City of London..yet a world apart. Will def go back for one of their talks.. xxx
I love that this place was considered ancient in 1215–can’t find that sort of ancient in the US! And the woman’s story is very compelling–I hope you’ll follow up when you find her grave.
The very original hospital was started by monks..although not at this site. But there is still a St Thomas’s in London, over looking the Houses of Parliament on the other side of the river..I had both Bella and Charlie there! I will def follow up..I’m intrigued xxx
The theatre is absolutely a treasure trove of facts and mysteries…
and can’t get over the facts and mysteries of Dr. Barry…
wow, how her inner {ingenuity} voice inspired her to be…
what a “world” told her she could not be!!
Another fascinating post Kate~ xo
I’ve read a bit more..and she allegedly had an affair with a Lord as well! I think Emma Thompson needs to buy the film rights to this story and make an amazing film.. xxx
My mind goes to all the practical things about being a Woman and how hard or easy it would be to hide them (monthly, lack of facial hair, breasts, etc.) Then my mind goes to her family — did they see her, occasionally? Disown her? Think her dead? Applaud her calling? WOW.
From what I have read, she had the full support of her family – it was through her family connections that the idea was hatched. Apparently they had an influential friend from Venezuela – the idea was the Barry would qualify and practise in Venezuela although that didn’t happen. But she travelled on a boat from Ireland to Edinburgh where she studied…on board they were Aunt and Nephew..a Michael du Preez, a retired urologist, has done some in-depth research in to the story..his book is now with an agent awaiting a publisher..really hope it gets published! xxx
Wow- what a great story. That’s so impressive and inspiring! There’s really been so many amazing women in medicine that seem to be somewhat unsung heroes, perhaps because their stories aren’t as well known as others. Thanks for sharing this! She’s one of my new fav heroines!
I can only think it was because people felt duped that they let her story fall by the way – that and the fact that even at the end of her life women were still very much second class citizens. But she really deserves to be celebrated and admired for what she managed to achieve..there’s even talk that she was at the Battle of Waterloo! xxx
I absolutely love the pictures you’ve shared, especially the first. I adore glass, especially colored and stained glass with light shining through it. I recall my mother propping little bottles on her windows just like in the picture. I have modern windows with vertical panes…need to figure out a way to get some bottles on them 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
This was a veritable treasure trove of bottles and drawers and little knick knacks..every where you looked, there was something else to see! xxx
What a fascinating story, I shall have to get down there!
Thanks for liking my post Denim Sunset!
http://lnbdesign.wordpress.com/
Check on the website and head to one of their events..you may even be able to see your own amputation! xxx
Great story!
She was one incredible lady.. xxx
Riveting story. Want to learn more now!!! Oh please go to the cementery and tell us what is on her tombstone 🙂 xo
I can’t imagine being on a boat or at a battlefield and managing to keep everything secret..just is madness – and yet she did it. I will take her some flowers from all of us amazed by her strength and determination xxx
What a great story – you always have to visit places like this in person don’t you to find details like this. I also love, love, love your first photo with the backlit amber-glass medicine bottles, and slightly menacing botanical additions! Jx
This is amazing! Definitely on my To Visit list next time I’m in London. Thanks for sharing!
Oh, if I ever get back to London, I will be so very excited to visit this operating theatre. The last time we were there, I did make time for the Florence Nightingale Museum.
Love the case with all the little bottles. Great field trip.