Elsie Inglis

One of the first women to graduate from the University of Edinburgh.

Elsie Maud Inglis was born in 1864 in India, to John Forbes David Inglis, a chief commissioner in the Indian civil service. She was founder of Scottish Women's Suffrage Federation and Scottish Women's Hospitals, alumna.

After a private education she enrolled in Dr Sophia Jex-Blake's newly opened Edinburgh School of Medicine for Women, then completed her training under Sir William MacEwen at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary. She qualified as a licentiate of both the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Edinburgh, and the Faculty of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow in 1892.

Elsie Inglis
Elsie Inglis
After qualifying, she started work at Elizabeth Garrett Anderson's pioneering New Hospital for Women in London then went on to the Rotunda in Dublin, a leading maternity hospital. She returned to Edinburgh in 1894 to set up a medical practice with fellow student Jessie Maclaren MacGregor. She also opened a maternity hospital (The Hospice which was at 219 High Street on the Royal Mile) for poor women, and a midwifery resource centre.

A philanthropist, she often waived the fees owed to her and would pay for her patients to recuperate by the sea-side. She was a consultant at  Bruntsfield Hospital for women and children, and despite a disagreement between Inglis and the hospital management, the Hospice joined forces with them in 1910.

University Courtyard renamed

Courtyard renamed to honour wartime doctor Elsie Inglis - Nov. 2017

I am very pleased to be marking the centenary of the death of one of our most inspirational alumni. Naming our historic quadrangle after Dr Inglis is a fitting reminder of her remarkable achievements and lasting legacy.

Principal Sir Timothy O'Shea

The medical school was established in 1726 and is one of the oldest institutions of its kind in the English-speaking world.

Related Articles:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-42172047

Elsie Inglis commemorated for war achievements - Nov. 2017

http://www.ed.ac.uk/about/people/plaques/inglis

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elsie_Inglis