Jex-Blake, Sophia Louisa (1840-1912)

British physician. In 1874 she founded the London School of Medicine for Women and in 1877 qualified in medicine at Dublin University. In 1878 she opened a dispensary for women and children in Edinburgh, Scotland, and a cottage hospital in 1885. In 1886 she founded the Edinburgh School of Medicine for Women. She published American Schools and Colleges (1867), Medical Women (1872), Care of Infants (1884), and Puerperal Fever (1877).

Jex-Blake was born in Hastings, Sussex, England. She was mathematical tutor of Queen's College, London (1858-61). In 1866 she studied medicine in Boston, Massachusetts. She returned to England in 1868 and matriculated in 1869 at the medical faculty of the University of Edinburgh, where she was unable to qualify due to the hostile attitude of the university to the medical education of women.