Blackwell, Elizabeth, 1821-1910

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Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell was born in Bristol, England, in 1821 to a politically outspoken father committed to fairness among his male and female children. In 1832, Samuel Blackwell moved his family to the United States in part for financial reasons but also to participate in the abolitionist movement. Two of his daughters would grow up to continue this fight against slavery and to work towards women's rights, specifically in the area of women in medicine.

After years of struggling to be taken seriously and receiving rejections from 29 schools, Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States in 1849. Upon graduating first in her class from New York's Geneva Medical College, she left for Europe, working in clinics in London and Paris. It was during her time in England in 1850 that Blackwell's cousin, Bessie Rayner Parkes, introduced her to fellow women's rights pioneer Barbara Leigh Smith Bodichon. Then, while studying midwifery in France, Blackwell contracted purulent opthalmia, costing her sight in one eye and prompting her return to New York in 1851.

Sexism in the United States limited Blackwell's opportunities for employment and for much intellectual exchange with other physicians, so, in 1853, Blackwell opened her own small dispensary. Then in 1857, along with her sister Emily, also a doctor, and their friend Dr. Marie Zakrzewska, she founded the New York Infirmary for Women and Children. At the onset of the Civil War, Blackwell organized the Women's Central Association of Relief, training nurses for war service. She and her sister also helped to establish the United States Sanitary Commission. After the war, the Blackwell sisters founded the Women's Medical College at their infirmary in New York where Elizabeth served on the faculty until 1869 when she moved back to London.

Blackwell gave up the practice of medicine in the 1870s due to her declining health, but she continued to teach and campaign for increased opportunities for women in the medical field. She died in England in 1910 at the age of 89. In 1949, 100 years after she received her M.D., the American Medical Women's Association created the Elizabeth Blackwell Medal to honor outstanding contributions made by women in the medical field.

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Elizabeth Blackwell Letters, circa 1850-1884 Columbia University. Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Letter to Dr. Victor Robinson in Answer to His Request for Photographs of Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, First Woman Doctor in the United States, and Dr. Emily Blackwell University of Virginia. Library
referencedIn State Project Reports and Research Publications, 1933–1943 National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Blackwell family. Papers, 1835-1963 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Vol. LXIX (ff. 296). July 1882-Sept. 1887.includes:ff. 2, 30, 65, 96 Mary Cadbury, Superintendent of Liverpool Workhouse Infirmary: Letters to Florence Nightingale: 1880-1883.f. 6 Henry Bonham Carter, Secretary, Nightingale Fund: Drafts, etc., pr... British Library
referencedIn Papers, 1882-1951 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Vol. LXIV (ff. 279). May 1869-1871.includes:ff. 1, 66, 90 William Clode, Secretary of General Register Office: Letters to Florence Nightingale: 1865-1869.ff. 2, 6 Sarah Myles, of Liverpool: Letters to Florence Nightingale: 1869.ff. 4, 85 Henrie... British Library
referencedIn New England Hospital for Women and Children. Records, 1792-1994 Smith College, Neilson Library
referencedIn Papers, 1851-1906, 1923, 1974 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Autograph Letter Collection: General Women's Movement, 1825-1896 The Women' s Library
referencedIn Papers of Edna Lamprey Stantial, 1836-1985 (inclusive), 1900-1955 (bulk) Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Blackwell family. Blackwell family papers, 1759-1960 (inclusive), [microform]. Yale University Library
referencedIn Rebecca Spring Papers, ca. 1830-1900 Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
creatorOf [Elizabeth Blackwell, biographical materials] University of Wisconsin - Madison, General Library System
referencedIn Correspondence of Florence Nightingale 1859-1872 [manuscript] National Library of Australia.
referencedIn Audio Recordings, 1945 - 1965 National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Papers of Ellen Dwight Eaton, 1857-1868 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Papers, 1890 (1969-1973) Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Hazzard, Florence Woolsey, 1903-1992. Papers, 1940-1950 Smith College, Neilson Library
creatorOf Blackwell, Elizabeth, 1821-1910. ALS, 23 May [1877] to Mme. [Jessie] Mario 116 Milton St., Dorset Square NW. Copley Press, J S Copley Library
referencedIn New England Hospital for Women and Children. Records, 1792-1994 Smith College, Neilson Library
referencedIn Blackwell, Alice Stone, 1857-1950. Papers in the Woman's Rights Collection, 1885-1950 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn [The Scrapbook of E.H. Palmer], 1829-1883 [/manuscript]. Stanford University Lane Medical Library
referencedIn Vol. I. 1860.includes:f. 1 Reverend Jacob Abbott: Letter to Griffin and Co.: 1860. f. 3 Reverend John S-C-Abbott: Letter to Griffin and Co.: 1860. f. 5 Jean Victor Adam, Painter: Letter to Griffin and Co.: 1860. f. 6 William Harrison Ainsworth, a..., 1860 British Library
creatorOf Research collection, 1847-1981 Upstate Medical Center (N.Y.)
referencedIn Lutz, Alma, 1890-1973. Collection of documents by and about abolitionists and women's rights activists, 1775-1943 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Autograph collection, 1816-1917, 1816-1917 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Blackwell family. Papers, 1784-1944 (bulk: 1832-1939) Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
creatorOf [Collection of essays, addresses, letters and pamphlets by Elizabeth Blackwell]. University of California, Los Angeles
creatorOf Blackwell, Elizabeth, 1821-1910. ALS, [no year] April 8, [England], to Miss Carpenter. Copley Press, J S Copley Library
creatorOf Blackwell Family Papers, 1759-1960, (bulk 1845-1890) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
creatorOf Postcard : Hastings, to Caroline Wells Healey Dall, Wash. D.C., 1901 Oct 30. Bryn Mawr College, Mariam Coffin Canaday Library
referencedIn Hays, Elinor Rice, 1901-1994. Papers, 1867-196-. Columbia University. Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Hays, Elinor Rice, 1901-1994. Papers, 1867-196-. Columbia University. Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Woman's rights collection, 1853-1958 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Horn, Margo. Dissertation on the the Blackwell family, 1980 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Sir James Paget correspondence, 1784-1932, 1784-1932 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Blackwell family. Papers, 1832-1981 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Papers of Alice Hamilton, 1909-1987 (inclusive), 1909-1965 (bulk) Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Hazzard, Florence Woolsey, 1903-1992. Papers, 1819-1976 (bulk: 1925-1965) Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
creatorOf Blackwell, Elizabeth, 1821-1910. Letter : [New York], to her friend, Katie, [1851?] Sep 13. Yale University, Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library
creatorOf Brook Farm correspondence Middlebury College
referencedIn Lutz, Alma, 1890-1973. Collection of documents by and about abolitionists and women's rights activists, 1775-1943 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Susan Groag Bell's, An Annotated bibliography of British Women's autobiographies, 1790-1950 :, research and reference materials, 1986-1998 Stanford University. Department of Special Collections and University Archives
referencedIn Vol. XXIX (ff. 239). 1905 -1913, n.d.includes:f. 1 Macmillan and Co; publishers: Letters to A. R. Wallace: 1896-1909. ff. 2, 7 Eveleen Myers, née Tennant; wife of F W H Myers: Letters to A. R. Wallace: 1901, 1905. ff. 5, 170, 221, 226 Jane Barlow, w..., 1905-1913 British Library
referencedIn Autograph Letter Collection: Biographical notes by Mrs Billington Greig, c.1950 The Women' s Library
referencedIn Blackwell family. Visual materials from the Blackwell family papers, 1840-ca. 1935 (bulk: 1890-1925) Library of Congress. Prints and Photographs Division
creatorOf Elizabeth Blackwell papers, 1849-1863, and undated Duke University, Medical Center Library & Archives
referencedIn Women of Courage Files, 1960–1976 Harry S. Truman Library
referencedIn Papers of Jane Gay Dodge, 1882-1951 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Blackwell family. Papers, 1835-1963 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
creatorOf Rogers, Patsy. In celebration : Elizabeth Blackwell / [music by] Patsy Rogers ; words by Eve Merriam. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Blackwell Family Papers, 1759-1960, (bulk 1845-1890) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
referencedIn Blackwell family. Papers, 1784-1944 (bulk: 1832-1939) Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Phillips, Wendell, 1811-1884. Papers, 1555-1882 (bulk: 1833-1881) Houghton Library
referencedIn Hazzard, Florence Woolsey, 1903-1992. Papers, 1819-1976 (bulk: 1925-1965) Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
referencedIn Papers of Ishbel Ross, 1948-1959 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Papers of Harriet Goodhue Hosmer, 1834-1959 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Papers of Henry Joseph Wilson, 1869-1930 The Women' s Library
referencedIn Production Library Audio Recordings, 1999 - 2005 National Archives at College Park
referencedIn A. R. WALLACE PAPERS. Vol. XXVI (ff. 437). Correspondence on spritualism and related subjects; 1864 -1913, n.d.includes:f. 1 Sir David Brewster, natural philosopher: Letter to -: 1855.: Copy.ff. 3, 141, 144, 148 (draft), 150, 154 (draft) William..., 1864-1913 British Library
referencedIn Hazzard, Florence Woolsey, 1903-1992. Papers, 1940-1950 Smith College, Neilson Library
creatorOf Blackwell, Elizabeth, 1821-1910. Letter : [New York], to her friend, Katie, [1851?] Sep 13. Yale University, Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library
referencedIn Blackwell, Alice Stone, 1857-1950. Papers in the Woman's Rights Collection, 1885-1950 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Mary Augusta Scott Papers Vassar College
referencedIn Autograph file: A-I, 1783-1983. Vassar College
referencedIn Blackwell family. Papers, 1832-1981 Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
referencedIn Vol. XXVIII (ff. 261). 1853 -1904.includes:ff. 1, 2, 6, 12, 14 Sir James Brooke, KCB; Rajah of Sarawak: Letters to A. R. Wallace: [1853?]-1866.ff. 9, 19 Sidney Edward Bouverie Bouverie-Pusey: Letters to A. R. Wallace: 1864, 1868.f. 10 Charles ..., 1853-1904 British Library
referencedIn Autograph Letter Collection: Women in Medicine, 1865-1972 The Women' s Library
referencedIn Autograph Letter Collection: Women's Suffrage (also includes postage stamps), 1851-1973 The Women' s Library
referencedIn John Thomas Codman Brook Farm collection, 1840-1901. Houghton Library
creatorOf Health pamphlets. UAB - Lister Hill Library, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Lister Hill Library
referencedIn Autograph File, B, ca.1500-1982 Houghton Library
referencedIn Henderson County Public Library general files, 1840-1981. Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives, Kentucky Guide Project Office
referencedIn Blackwell family. Additional papers of the Blackwell family, 1851-1972 (inclusive), 1851-1935 (bulk). Arthur and Elizabeth Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America‏
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Alice Stone Blackwell, 1857-1950 person
associatedWith ALMA LUTZ, 1890-1973 person
associatedWith Bell, Susan G. person
associatedWith Bell, Susan Groag person
associatedWith Blackwell, Alice Stone, 1857-1950. person
associatedWith Blackwell, Alice Stone, 1857-1950. person
associatedWith Blackwell, Emily, 1826-1910. person
associatedWith Blackwell family family
associatedWith Blackwell family. family
associatedWith Blackwell family. family
associatedWith Blackwell family. family
associatedWith Blackwell family. family
associatedWith Blackwell family. family
associatedWith Blackwell family. family
associatedWith BLACKWELL FAMILY family
associatedWith BLACKWELL FAMILY family
associatedWith BLACKWELL FAMILY family
associatedWith Bodichon, Barbara Leigh Smith, 1827-1891. person
associatedWith Castleton Medical College. corporateBody
associatedWith Codman, John Thomas. person
associatedWith Dall, Caroline Wells Healey, 1822-1912. person
associatedWith DeLancey, Margaret Murray. person
associatedWith Dodge, Jane Gay, 1881-1963. person
associatedWith Eaton, Ellen Dwight, 1832- person
associatedWith Florence (Woolsey) Hazzard, 1903- person
associatedWith Geneva Medical College. corporateBody
associatedWith Hamilton, Alice, 1869-1970. person
associatedWith HARRIET GOODHUE HOSMER, 1830-1908 person
associatedWith Hays, Elinor Rice. person
associatedWith Hays, Elinor Rice. person
associatedWith Hazzard, Florence W. (Florence Woolsey) person
associatedWith Hazzard, Florence Woolsey, 1903- person
associatedWith Hazzard, Florence Woolsey, 1903-1992 person
associatedWith History of Medicine Collections (Duke University) corporateBody
associatedWith Hosmer, Harriet Goodhue, 1830-1908. person
associatedWith JANE GAY DODGE, 1881-1963 person
associatedWith Lutz, Alma, person
associatedWith Margo E. Horn person
associatedWith MARY PUTNAM JACOBI, 1842-1906 person
associatedWith Moore, E. M. person
associatedWith Moore, E. M., collector. person
associatedWith New England Hospital for Women and Children corporateBody
correspondedWith Nightingale, Florence, 1820-1910. person
associatedWith Paget, James, Sir, 1814-1899. person
associatedWith Palmer, Edward Henry, 1840-1882, person
correspondedWith Phillips, Wendell, 1811-1884 person
associatedWith Prince, William Robert, 1795-1869. person
associatedWith Rogers, Patsy. person
associatedWith Ross, Ishbel, 1897-1975. person
associatedWith Scott, Mary Augusta, 1851-1918. person
associatedWith Spring, Rebecca. person
associatedWith Stantial, Edna Lamprey. person
associatedWith Vassar College. corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Subject
Feminism
Medicine
Physicians
Women physicians
Public health
Sanitation
Women
Women in medicine
Occupation
Physicians
Women physicians
Activity

Person

Birth 1821-02-03

Death 1910-05-31

Americans

English

Information

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