Born: 31 October 1875, United Kingdom
Died: 30 July 1964
Country most active: United Kingdom
Also known as: NA
Scottish doctor Agnes Forbes Blackadder became the first woman to graduate from the University of St Andrews when she received her M.A. degree on 29 March 1895. She went on to the University of Glasgow for her MBChb (1898) and M.D. (1901). During this time, she won the first prize in Practical Pathology in 1896 and completed First Class Certificates in Materia Medica, Surgery, Midwifery, Ophthalmology, and Insanity and a Second Class Certificate in Anatomy.
Moving to London, Dr Blackadder was appointed as a consultant in dermatology and electro-therapeutics, in addition to working in radiology, at St. John’s Hospital. Hers was one of the first appointments of a woman consultant at a hospital that was not exclusively serving female patients, though she did also consult at the South London Hospital for Women and Children. In 1912, she studied, and published medical papers on, the effects of force-feeding on imprisoned suffragists who were engaged in hunger strikes.
During World War I, Dr Blackadder worked in radiology at the Scottish Women’s Hospital at Royaumont, France, returning to her duties in London when possible. She pioneered the use of x-ray to understand and reduce the effects of gas gangrene with prompt diagnosis and treatment. She also installed a player piano at Royaumont for the benefit of staff and patients. Her book about the importance of music for well-being, Music, Health and Character,was published in 1923 and led to the creation of the Council for Music in Hospitals. She later edited her husband’s textbook, Savill’s System of Clinical Medicine, and published a volume on ancient history, Alexander the Great and his Times, in 1955.
Almost 60 years after her death, University of St Andrews students voted to rename a residence hall Agnes Blackadder Hall, the first at the school to be named after a woman.