Media From the Heart by Ruth Hill

By Ruth on July 25, 2013 in Challenge, history

First of all, the date does not seem to be questionable for today’s feature. Most sites say July 25, but according to Find a Grave, it is the 26th (and there is a picture to back it up). So I’m not really sure, but I’m going with the 25th even if it’s wrong.

On this date in 1865, Dr. James Barry, noted surgeon, died. He was a military surgeon in the British army. But guess what. He was born originally with the name of Margaret Ann Bulkley. That’s right! He was a she! Why the masquerade? As a woman, she could never have become a noted medical doctor, so she pretended to be a man, and upon her death, it was discovered that he was a she! Among other accomplishments, she was the first British surgeon in Africa to perform a successful Caesarean section. She died of dysentery, and charwoman Sophia Bishop discovered the female body. It was determined years later that she was the niece of James Barry, the painter.

I don’t know about you, but this is practically unbelievable to me! I look at the picture, and I see nothing feminine about her. And I would think her manservant would have known. But who knows?

For more information:

http://blog.mikerendell.com/?p=931

http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/articles/james-barry

http://encyclopedia.tfd.com/James+Barry+%28surgeon%29

http://medlibrary.org/medwiki/James_Barry_(surgeon)

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=2613

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RuthView all posts by Ruth

“Don’t bend; don’t water it down; don’t try to make it logical; don’t edit your own soul according to the fashion. Rather, follow your most intense obsessions mercilessly.” — Franz Kafka Ruth is an inspirational entertainment journalist who instinctively sees the best in all and seeks to share universal beauty, love and positivity. She is an artist who leads with her heart and gives readers a glimpse of the best of this world through the masterful use of the written word. Ruth was born in Tacoma, Washington but now calls Yelm, Washington her home. She lives on five acres with her parents, a dog, two miniature goats, cats and a teenage daughter who is a dynamic visual artist herself. Ruth interviews fellow artists both inside and outside of the film/television industry. At the core of all she does is the strength of her faith.

Tags: Challenge, history

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6 Comments

Elizabeth Alraune July 25, 2013 Reply

http://albertnobbs-themovie.com/ is the film’s website, if you want to check it out. 🙂
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  Ruth July 25, 2013 Reply
  
  Checking it out now. Thanks!
Elizabeth Alraune (@JoLoPe) July 25, 2013 Reply

Interesting tidbit. I wonder how many women over the years did something similar? I was curious about the film Glen Close was in, in which she played a woman who had to be a man for what she wanted to do. Now that you reminded me, I may have to go seek it out. Thanks for sharing.
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  Ruth July 25, 2013 Reply
  
  I can’t imaigine having to do something like this, and I am so glad that we women don’t have to put on such charades any more. Let me know if you find about the film–it sounds interesting. Thanks for stopping by.
Darlene Willman July 25, 2013 Reply

Wow! This is so clever! I’m so glad we don’t have to pretend to be something we’re not anymore and that women can own their accomplishments. I guess this would have surprised anyone back then. Thanks for sharing!
Darlene Willman recently posted…Speak and Share Your Brilliance
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  Ruth July 25, 2013 Reply
  
  I wonder, too. There are probably women who did such things from way back when that we don’t even know about. Thanks for stopping by!