 |
Lucy Cradock
|
The Liverpool Medical Institute at 114 Mount Pleasant, standing opposite the Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, is one of the oldest medical societies in the world. The only woman doctor associated with it in the nineteenth century is Lucy Cradock who is Liverpool’s earliest female physician. William Roscoe was born here at the Bowling Green public house, the site now occupied by the Liverpool Medical Institution which grew from the Surgeons’ Book Club. This was founded by surgeons working at Liverpool Infirmary between 1768 and 1770 who then founded the Liverpool Medical Library in 1779. Two years later the library merged with the Liverpool Medical Society to form the LMI.
Lucy Elizabeth Cradock was born in 1851 in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire and moved to King’s Lynn with her mother, also called Lucy, when her father Luke became a curate at St Nicholas' Chapel in Kings Lynn. They lived in Portland Street and there they had another child, a boy called
John Thomas. Tragically John Thomas didn't survive childhood but died in
1866 and his father Luke died only four years later.
From 1877 women were officially allowed to train as doctors but they
were generally unwelcome in the profession and many considered them
unsuited to the work. Lucy though persevered and 1891, whilst her mother was still
living at Portland Street with her maid, Dr Lucy Cradock was now living and
working in Liverpool, the first woman doctor to practise in the city. She
established and ran a surgery at 52 Huskisson Street whilst living at 29 Catharine Street. Alongside her private practice
Lucy also served as Medical Officer to the Female Staff of the
Liverpool Post Office, becoming House Physician to the Women’s Hospital in
Shaw Street and served on the Dispensary Board of the Victoria
Settlement. She was also a medical attendant to the School for the
Blind, and medical officer to the women students of the University
Training School.
 |
29-31 Catherine Street
|
 |
52 Huskisson Street
|
In October 1888 the council of the LMI debated whether to
allow her, a woman, membership. Lucy had written a humble letter,
acknowledging possible objections to her attending meetings and
reassuring that she would only attend if papers of great interest were
to be presented, and that she was ready 'to take a hint' and leave if
her presence hindered discussion. Lucy Cradock was elected, despite some
opposition, although she was kept on the periphery, at the beginning at
least.
She remained in Liverpool until her death on the 1st of November 1903, at
the age of fifty-three. Her mother must have been immensely proud of her
daughter who died two years before her. Mrs Cradock
was buried with her husband and her long dead son.
see also:- http://www.thefootballvoice.com/2020/09/a-liverpool-exemplar-sir-arthur-bower.html
No comments:
Post a Comment