Sixth and Eighth Annual Announcements.
One of the First Medical Schools for Women
[Education]. Sixth Annual Announcement of the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania. For the session of 1855-56. Philadelphia: William S. Young, Printer, 1855.
8vo.; pink printed wrappers; small chip to upper panel; vertically creased from folding; minor dampstain to bottom edge; lower panel lightly soiled.
Together with:
Eighth Annual Announcement of the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania. For the session of 1857-58. Philadelphia: Deacon and Peterson, Printers, 1857.
8vo.; light brown printed wrappers; tips nicked.
First editions. The Sixth Annual Announcement lists the faculty members of the college, most of whom are male; the names of the 35 currently enrolled students; the thesis topics chosen by the graduating class; and, the names of the graduates along with their cities, counties and home states. The costs for attending the college (“Terms”) and the courses required to earn a degree (“Regulations”) are also included. The introductory text states, “That women can study medicine, and succeed in its practice, is no longer a matter of doubtful experiment,” and this statement is supported by the college’s enrollment, which increased steadily from 1855 to 1857.
The lengthier Eighth Annual Announcement includes all of the above, plus the complete list of matriculants to the college since its founding (200 names), a Treasurer’s Report, and the by-laws of the “corporators,” or board of trustees. Additionally, a list of financial contributors, all of whom are male, and an appeal for donations appear in the rear of the pamphlet.
Dr. Emeline Horton Cleveland (1829-1878), one of the graduates listed in the Sixth Annual Announcement, joined the faculty of the Female Medical College of Pennsylvania as an anatomy instructor in 1856. She was instrumental in the prolonged success of the college and its mission to train female physicians. In 1862, Cleveland became the first woman to hold the position of chief resident at the Women’s Hospital in Philadelphia. During her tenure, she established one of the first training programs for nurses and was one of the first American female doctors to perform major abdominal and gynecological surgeries (National Library of Medicine, “Celebrating America’s Women Physicians,” January 1, 1993).
OCLC locates one copy of the Sixth Annual Announcement and no copies of the Eighth Annual Announcement.
(#10658)
Print Inquire
