Medical College of Pennsylvania - Iatrian Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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iv 'fa THE COLLEGE IN 1850

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The Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania Some Historical Facts BY CLARA MARSHALL, M.D., Dean. As it was in the beginning, Dux femina facti, which, liberally translated, reads, A woman was at the bottom of it, and that woman was Esther Fussell, daughter of Bartholomew and Rebecca Bond Fussell, of Chester County, Pa., who was in her day and generation a remarkable woman. She was herself interested in medicine and when her brother Bartholomew was old enough, she encouraged him to turn his attention in that direction. He felt deeply grateful to her and when he graduated, he registered in his mind the purpose to do all he could for the sex to which she belonged. I know, said he, she was more capable of study- ing medicine than ever I was, yet she could not do so on account of her sex. This mutter took at deep hold of his mind, and to his beloved wife, Lydia Bond Fussell, he expressed the purpose of one day trying to open a medical school for women, adding, with true Quaker caution, when the fitting time arrives. The ultimate carrying out of this project, which was left for others to accomplish, constitutes a most interesting chapter in the history of the College, but one which cannot be dwelt upon in the limited space assigned, suffice it to say, that a charter was obtained bearing the date of March II, 1850. Through the generosity of VVilliam J. Mullin, the unexpired lease of a property at 627 Arch street was purchased, the building remodelled to adapt it to the purposes of the College, and it was opened for the recep- tion of students October 12, 1850. The first graduating class numbered eight women, some of whom became eminently successful in practice. One of the number, Dr. Ann Preston, was elected to the chair of Physiology and Hygiene in the College and subsequently became dean of the faculty, both positions being held by her until her death in 1872. 28