About this artwork

This chalk drawing shows Gertrude Herzfeld, who was the first practising woman surgeon in Scotland. Born in London of Austrian parents, Herzfeld qualified in Edinburgh in 1914. She worked as a surgeon at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children, the Chalmers Hospital and Bolton Infirmary. In 1920 she became only the second female Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons. From 1920 until her retirement in 1955 she worked at Bruntsfield Hospital, where she undertook a wide range of general and gynaecological surgery. Herzfeld sometimes faced difficulties as a woman in a male-dominated profession. She became a champion for women in medicine when she served as President of the Medical Women’s Federation. From 1960 until 1962 she also chaired the British Medical Association’s Edinburgh division.

Updated before 2020

Does this text contain inaccurate information or language that you feel we should improve or change? Tell us what you think.

David Foggie

David Foggie