B166672

International standard book number

0091268400

System control number

2357

Author

Rose, J.

Title

The Perfect Gentleman, The remarkable life of Dr. James Miranda Barry, the woman who served as an officer in the British Army from 1813 to 1859

Publication, distribution, etc.

London: Hutchinson, 1977

Physical description

160, 23 cm

Biographical or historical data

James Barry (1789-1865) was an Irish military surgeon who rose through the ranks of the British Army, ultimately achieving the rank of Inspector General, which was the second-highest medical office in the British Army. Through his service, mainly performed in Africa, James Barry improved conditions for British soldiers as well as local civilians. One of his most famous achievements was successfully performing a caesarean section in 1826 where both mother and child survived, an extremely rare and high-risk feat at the time.

After Barry’s death, it was revealed that he was actually born female, under the name Margaret Anne Bulkley. It is impossible at this distance to know for certain how Barry would have privately described his own gender, but he presented to the world as male, and according to those close to him, lived as a man in his private life. While many contemporary surgeons and medical professionals took advantage of this information and attempted to discredit Barry’s achievements, modern understandings of gender have allowed James Barry to be recognised as a part of transgender history and a pioneer in medical care.

Alexander Walker, Hidden Histories MA Project Participant

Subject

BIOGRAPHY (Categories)

001B166672

003UKLeTMM

00520240415170409.1

020##$a0091268400

035##$a2357

100##$aRose, J.

245##$aThe Perfect Gentleman$bThe remarkable life of Dr. James Miranda Barry, the woman who served as an officer in the British Army from 1813 to 1859

260##$bLondon: Hutchinson$c1977

300##$a160$c23 cm

545##$aJames Barry (1789-1865) was an Irish military surgeon who rose through the ranks of the British Army, ultimately achieving the rank of Inspector General, which was the second-highest medical office in the British Army. Through his service, mainly performed in Africa, James Barry improved conditions for British soldiers as well as local civilians. One of his most famous achievements was successfully performing a caesarean section in 1826 where both mother and child survived, an extremely rare and high-risk feat at the time. After Barry’s death, it was revealed that he was actually born female, under the name Margaret Anne Bulkley. It is impossible at this distance to know for certain how Barry would have privately described his own gender, but he presented to the world as male, and according to those close to him, lived as a man in his private life. While many contemporary surgeons and medical professionals took advantage of this information and attempted to discredit Barry’s achievements, modern understandings of gender have allowed James Barry to be recognised as a part of transgender history and a pioneer in medical care. Alexander Walker, Hidden Histories MA Project Participant

650#4$aBIOGRAPHY

852##$aLibrary$j2.2 BAR