James Barry (1792-1795) was a surgeon in the British Army. However, he was actually born a girl and named Margaret Ann Bulkley.
At the end of his career, James Barry, had risen to the rank of Inspector General. He was in charge of military hospitals and notably performed the first successful caesarian section in Africa by a British surgeon.
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| Dr James Barry. Photograph sourced from Scanty Particulars by Rachel Holmes |
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| Barry (left) with John, a servant, and Barry's dog Psyche, c. 1862, Jamaica |
Certain letters imply that there was a conspiracy between Margaret's (James Barry) mother and some liberal-minded friends of her uncle, to have Margaret assume the identity of a male and gain entry into medical school. And it was in the guise of a male that Margaret arrived at Edinburgh in 1809 and entered medical school.
The young person now known as James Barry earned his Medical Doctorate in 1812 and then, became a pupil of the United Hospitals of Guy’s and St Thomas', qualifying as a Regimental Assistant after passing exams for the Royal College of Surgeons of England. One has to wonder how the young Barry managed to avoid the routine health examinations.
Between 1815 and 1817, Barry served in India, South Africa and Cape Town, where he performed one of the first successful Caesarian sections. Later he served in Malta, Corfu and Canada.
In 1864, Barry retired and returned to England. He died on 25 July 1865. The household maid Sophia Bishop laid out the body and discovered that Barry, was in fact, a "perfect female" 1.
Books To Read
Lara Destiny (“The Pink Kitty Killer” and other novels) by Dick Enos.
The young person now known as James Barry earned his Medical Doctorate in 1812 and then, became a pupil of the United Hospitals of Guy’s and St Thomas', qualifying as a Regimental Assistant after passing exams for the Royal College of Surgeons of England. One has to wonder how the young Barry managed to avoid the routine health examinations.
Between 1815 and 1817, Barry served in India, South Africa and Cape Town, where he performed one of the first successful Caesarian sections. Later he served in Malta, Corfu and Canada.
In 1864, Barry retired and returned to England. He died on 25 July 1865. The household maid Sophia Bishop laid out the body and discovered that Barry, was in fact, a "perfect female" 1.
Books To Read
Lara Destiny (“The Pink Kitty Killer” and other novels) by Dick Enos.
