Elsie Inglis : The Woman with the Torch

Elsie Inglis (1864-1917) was an innovative Scottish doctor and suffragist. She had the good fortune to have relatively enlightened parents for the time who considered the education of a daughter as important as that of the son. In 1886 the Edinburgh School of Medicine for Women was opened by Dr Sophia Jex- Blake and Inglis started her studies there. 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. She was appalled by the general standard of care and lack of specialisation in the needs of female patients. Despite her already notable achievements it was her efforts during the First World War that brought her fame. She was instrumental in setting up the Scottish Women's Hospitals for Foreign Service Committee.