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| Dr. "JAMES"
MIRANDA BARRY STUART |
| Physician (1790 - 1865) |
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Before
sex was invented and when a career in medicine was forbidden
to chaps with breasts, Miranda Barry successfully masqueraded
as a man for over fifty years, in the process attaining promotion
to the highest ranks of the British Army Medical Service.
In
1812, "James" Barry graduated from Edinburgh University
with "his" medical degree. He joined the Army the
following year as a Surgeon's mate. "James" proved
a diligent and highly competent Doctor and served in Mauritius,
Cape of Good Hope, Jamaica, St Helena and the Crimean War.
"James"
eventually became Inspector General of Military Hospitals
in Quebec and Montreal before retiring from the Army at the
grand old age of 69. "His" death six years later
came as a shock to the Army. It was only when "he"
was being prepared for burial that the truth came out.
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