Scharlieb, Mary Ann Dacomb (1845–1930)

British gynaecologist and surgeon. In 1884 she was appointed lecturer in midwifery and gynaecology to the medical college at Madras (now Chennai), India. Three years later she founded the Royal Victoria Hospital for caste and Gosha women. She graduated as MD from London University, the first woman to do so, and in 1888 she was appointed clinical assistant to Elizabeth Garrett Anderson at the New Hospital for Women, joint lecturer in medical jurisprudence at the Handel Street School of Medicine, and surgeon to the New Hospital for Women. In 1901 she was elected gynaecologist at the Royal Free Hospital.

Scharlieb was born in London, England. In 1871 she entered the Madras Medical College as a student, receiving the diploma there in 1878. On her return to England she studied at the Royal Free Hospital, graduating in 1882. Her publications include Straight Talks to Women (1895), Welfare of the Expectant Mother (1919), Reminiscences (1924), and The Psychology of Childhood (1927). She was made a dame in 1926.