James Barry

#JamesBarry (c. 1789 – July 25, 1865): Not much is known about Barry’s childhood except that he was born in #CountyCork to #Catholic parents who struggled against anti-Catholic sentiment in Anglo-Saxon Protestant-run Ireland. Though wanting to train as a tutor, jobs were few and far between. Through family connections, Barry was able to enter the #UniversityOfEdinburgh in November 1809, where he studied at the #MedicalSchool. Officials in the university sought to bar Barry from entry owing to his shorter stature, unbroken voice, and delicate features (leading them to believe that he was too young to begin his studies), but powerful friends intervened and Barry was able to complete his studies on July 2, 1813, after transferring to the #RoyalCollegeOfSurgeonsOfEngland in #London. Soon thereafter he joined the British Army as a Hospital Assistant, eventually working his way up to Assistant Surgeon by 1815. After serving in South Africa (where he performed the first successful #CaesareanSection), he was promoted to #SurgeonToTheForces in 1827 and was posted to #Mauritius, #Jamaica, #SaintHelena, the #LeewardIslands and the #WindwardIslands, then to #Malta and #Corfu, and finally to #Canada by 1858. Through his long career, he was known to fight for better food, sanitation and more effective medical care for soldiers and their families (as well as for prisoners and lepers), and he was known to consistently fight for the health and wellbeing of under-represented groups wherever he served. On July 19, 1859, Barry retired and succumbed to dysentery on July 25, 1865. When coroners found Barry’s body, they were surprised to find out that James Barry was actually born Margaret Anne Bulkley (the evidence being the physical examination itself as well as pregnancy marks found on her lower abdomen). Some have speculated that Barry was #Intersex, though this fact is almost impossible to know with 100% certainty today. This also brings about the fact that it becomes difficult to identify Barry as #transgender or another part of the LGBTQ+ community, though regardless the fact is that James Barry was an inspiring figure in the field of medicine. #PrideMonth #LGBTQIA #LGBTQIAPride #Pride #LegendsOfPride #YouCannotEraseUs