Mary Murdoch (Hull) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dr Mary Charlotte Murdoch
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Mary Murdoch at work
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| Born | 26 September 1864 Elgin, Scotland
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| Died | 20 March 1916 (aged 51) Kingston upon Hull, England
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| Nationality | Scottish |
| Education | London School of Medicine for Women |
| Known for | First female doctor in Hull |
Dr. Mary Charlotte Murdoch (born September 26, 1864 – died March 20, 1916) was a doctor from Scotland. She was also a suffragist, meaning she fought for women's right to vote. Mary Murdoch spent most of her life in Kingston upon Hull, England. She was the very first woman doctor in Hull and even the first woman there to own a car!
Contents
Mary's Early Life and School Days
Mary Murdoch was born in Elgin, Scotland, on September 26, 1864. She was the youngest child of Jane and William Murdoch. Her father was a solicitor, which is a type of lawyer.
Mary was taught at home by private teachers. Later, she went to Weston House School in Elgin. She also attended Manor Mount Girls' Collegiate School in London. After that, she studied in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Mary returned to Elgin to care for her mother, who was ill and had lost her husband. Her mother passed away in 1887. Around this time, Mary found her true passion: medicine. Her family doctor, Dr. Adams, encouraged her dream.
She studied to become a doctor at the London School of Medicine for Women. Her mother had left her money to pay for her studies. While at the school, Mary was in charge of its museum. She finished her studies in Scotland and became a qualified doctor in 1892.
Becoming Hull's First Woman Doctor
In 1893, Mary Murdoch began her work in Hull. She became a house surgeon at the Victoria Hospital for Sick Children. This hospital had opened just two years earlier in Park Street.
In 1894, she joined the British Medical Association. This is a group for doctors in Britain. In 1895, she moved to London to work at Tottenham Fever Hospital.
After a period of illness, Mary returned to Hull in 1896. She became the city's first female general practitioner, or GP. This meant she was a doctor for families in the community.
In 1900, Mary hired a new doctor named Louisa Martindale as her assistant. They worked very closely together. They were not just business partners but also good friends. In 1902, they went on a cycling holiday together. They visited cities like Vienna, Berlin, and places in Switzerland. Their partnership lasted until 1906. Louisa Martindale later wrote a book about her life and dedicated a whole chapter to her time with Mary.
Mary Murdoch's life and career are also written about in a book from 1919. It's called 'A woman doctor: Mary Murdoch of Hull' by Hope Malleson. In this book, Mary is quoted from a speech she gave in 1904. She told students at the London School of Medicine for Women that she hoped one day it would seem strange for a male doctor to treat a woman.
Fighting for Women's Rights
Mary Murdoch was a strong supporter of women's rights. In 1904, she started the Hull Women's Suffrage Society. This group was part of Millicent Fawcett's National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies (NUWSS). This national group worked to get women the right to vote.
However, Mary disagreed with the NUWSS. The national group decided not to support campaigners who used more forceful methods. Mary then joined the Women's Social and Political Union (WSPU). This group used increasingly strong methods to get their message across.
Even though she joined a different group, Mary was still respected by Millicent Fawcett. In 1911, Fawcett chose Mary to represent her. Mary attended the International Council of Women meeting in Stockholm.
Mary's Personal Life and Legacy
Mary Murdoch worked very hard, often sleeping only four or five hours a night. But she also knew how to have fun! She was the first woman in Hull to own a car. She loved to drive it fast. There's a funny story about her car rolling backwards down a hill and catching fire. Six men had to help put it back on the road. Mary just joked about it with her passenger!
Mary joined the Church of England in 1914.
Mary Murdoch died at her home in Hull in 1916. She had returned through heavy snow after seeing a patient in an emergency. Thousands of people came to her funeral. Her own car led the procession. She was cremated, and her ashes were placed in the Lady Chapel of All Saints church in Hull. Special plaques were put on her home in Park Street and on the old Victoria Hospital to remember her.
Remembering Mary Murdoch
In March 2021, a new footbridge opened in Hull. It connects Hull city to the Princes Quay waterfront, marina, and fruit market. This bridge goes over Castle Street, a busy road also known as A63.
The name of the bridge is Murdoch's Connection. This name was suggested by students from Newland School for Girls in Newland, Hull. It is a great way to remember Dr. Mary Murdoch and her important contributions to the city.
