James Barry was a military surgeon in the British Army. She first served in Cape Town, South Africa, and later in various parts of the British Empire. Before retiring, Barry rose to the rank of Inspector General, equivalent to Brigadier, and was in charge of military hospitals.
Barry improved not only conditions for wounded soldiers but also the conditions of the native inhabitants. Additionally, she performed the first recorded cesarean section by a European in Africa, in which both the mother and child survived the operation.
Although Barry's entire adult life was lived as a man, Barry was named Margaret Anne at birth and was known as female in childhood. Barry lived as a man in both public and private life, at least in part to be accepted as a university student and pursue a career as a surgeon.
Barry's anatomy became known to the public and to military colleagues only after a post-mortem examination.
Barry improved not only conditions for wounded soldiers but also the conditions of the native inhabitants. Additionally, she performed the first recorded cesarean section by a European in Africa, in which both the mother and child survived the operation.
Although Barry's entire adult life was lived as a man, Barry was named Margaret Anne at birth and was known as female in childhood. Barry lived as a man in both public and private life, at least in part to be accepted as a university student and pursue a career as a surgeon.
Barry's anatomy became known to the public and to military colleagues only after a post-mortem examination.